The Signal | Ouachita Baptist University | 11.17.2017

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11.17.17

HOLIDAYS AWAY FROM HOME Thanksgiving from the perspective of OBU’s international students

Vol. 126, Issue 11

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Battle of the Ravine earns Tigers Young Democrats form campus organization outright GAC championship Hannah Smith z Photo lab

By ALEC EDMONDS Staff writer

THE OUACHITA TIGERS celebrate a victory over rivals Henderson State University Reddies in Satruday’s Battle of the Ravine.This annual game is called the fiercest rivalry in GAC history with the shortest distance for any away team to travel.

See page 6 for full story.

With election day being just last week, politics are definitely on the mind of many people, even some students at Ouachita. In the spring, a new organization acquired a charter and is now on the brink of being present on campus. Young Democrats of Ouachita is an organization that is focused on making Ouachita a more politically aware campus.

“Our focus as an organization is to encourage politics and bring political awareness to this campus,” said Aaron Woodall, junior biology major and president of Young Democrats.

For most of the 41 members in the organization, becoming politically aware is the reason they joined Young Democrats. According to se-

nior psycology major Sarah Sandy, the reason she joined was to finally make a decision on her own. Sandy said she grew up in a conservative home, and when she came to college she realized that she could make her own decisions. Through this she began to realize that she was not as conservative as she originally thought. She realized that she leaned more left on political issues. This is what drove her to start Young Democrats with Woodall and senior biomedical sciences major Mary Beth Jones.

The organization was born from a group message full of like-minded individuals who wanted to have a place to discuss issues that were important to them. People in the group added friends who wanted to be a part of the discussion, and the group message continued to grow. This then led to meeting full of a see Democrats z 2

Elrod Center hosts annual World War II veterans luncheon

Alex Blankenship z Photo lab

By CAMRYN REEVES Copy editor

Dani Droste z Photo lab DR. NOELLE TRENT presents “Interpreting Difficult History: Public History in the 21st Century” as a part of the Birkett Williams Endowed Lecture Series. Trent is the Director of Interpretation, Collections and Education at the National Civil Rights Museum.

Dr. Noelle Trent presents as part of Bikett Williams Lecture Series

By KATIE KEMP Editor-in-chief

As part of Ouachita’s Birkett Williams Endowed Lecture series, Dr. Noelle Trent, Director of Interpretation, Collections and Education at the National Civil Rights museum, gave a lecture in McBeth Recital Hall on Monday night.

Trent’s lecture, “Interpreting Difficult History: Public History in the 21st Century” defined difficult history and public history and cited past civil rights movements as a lens through which we can view today’s civil and human rights issues.

Difficult history, Trent said, is complex and complicated and involves people, places and events from all perspectives. She said that difficult history covers a range of hot button topics, including race, gender and sexual violence, and can allow us to view our current events through a new lens. Trent defined public history as “the many and diverse ways history is created, interpreted and applied” in the world.

Trent cited several past civil and human rights movements and the attempts of other museums and historians to interpret their sig-

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nificance in a way that was relevant in a more modern context. One example Trent used was the National Civil Rights Museum’s commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the L.A. uprising in response to the Rodney King verdict after King was killed

by Los Angeles police. Trent told of why the museum decided to present it as a community uprising and how they went about telling the story well.

The public history field is slow to embrace change, Trent said, and historians must work to preserve the professional integrity of the field. As more and more people consider themselves “curators” simply because they can collect and display historical artifacts, public historians must work to ensure that their interpretation of difficult history is not only accurate, but holds a relevance to a modern context.

“We (the National Civil Rights museum) are very fortunate in that we can do rapid response, we can be controversial, we can comment on current events,” Trent said. Other museums have not been so fortunate, as they have been asked by their boards to remain quiet on certain current issues. see Lecture z 2

On Friday, November 10, the Elrod Center hosted its annual World War II veteran luncheon. For years now, the Elrod Center has created the luncheon tradition to celebrate the lives and the sacrifices of those who fought in World War II. Judy Duvall, the associate director of the Elrod Center as well as the ElderServe Coordinator, headed up the event. Duvall has played a major role in planning this event for years, and she is very accustomed to planning it with the help of other volunteers. This year, a group of students from Ouachita’s Event Planning class had the opportunity to participate in the coordination of the event in details such as decorations, gifts for the veterans, food and music.

The event has grown smaller over the years because more and more World War II veterans are no longer living as the years pass, making this event so much more important as a time for students in attendance to hear about their country’s history and an opportunity for veterans to share their stories from so many years ago.

Veterans were invited to bring their families and friends to help honor them.

There were seven veterans in attendance for this year’s luncheon. The attendees also included Ouachita and Henderson’s ROTC participants, including two members who had served overseas. Other student volunteers were invited to help serve the veterans and to attend the event, so there were several students there as well.

With the introduction of

Alex Blankenship z Photo lab THE ELROD CENTER hosts the annual World War II veterans luncheon in honor of the lives and sacrifices of the those who fought. In conjunction with an Event Planning class and the Henderson and Ouachita ROTC programs, the Elrod Center served seven veterans in last Friday’s gathering.

the event, Duvall prayed for their time together. After her prayer and introduction, senior Margaret Geoffrion led the group in the singing of the National Anthem and “America the Beautiful.” The veterans then played a game which involved guessing the name of the songs from the war-time era. These songs included “Hello, Dolly!,” “Moonlight Serenade” and “In the Mood.”

The final part of the event gave veterans the opportunity to share some of their stories publicly. Duvall passed around a helmet that she had

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filled with questions about what life was like during WWII to prompt the veterans to share some of their stories with the group. There were laughs and tears as the guests learned about what war-time was actually like.

Overall, this event was a success that will continue to be hosted by the Elrod Center for years to come. With their desire to hear the stories of veterans and to honor them, the Elrod Center is doing their job in focusing on service as they continue to impact the Arkadelphia community. n

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thisTweets weekzCALENDAR of the Week Danny Hays @Haysdanny 15 Apr I love my job. I get to study God’s word & then teach it to eager college students who love the Lord. It’s a great job.

Even on Mondays.

“SPEED DATING TONIGHT: PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE will A Comic Opera in One Act” will hold a concert in McBeth Recital continue tonight at 7:30 p.m., Hall on Monday, November Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., and 20 at 7:30 p.m. It is free and Sunday public.

OBU afternoon @Ouachita at 2:30 p.m. open to the 15 Apr For more Students may purchase one information, contact Dr. Gary So how do you use social media -- to affirm and encourage free or ticket using a student ID. Gerber at gerberg@obu.edu. to attack and tear doen? “Be ye kind to one another.”

(Eph. 4:32). Hmmm...

THROWBACKS AND NO CLASSES from Wednesday, FLAPJACKS will be at November 22Apr to Friday, Justin Young @JustinYoung072 16 Dr. Jack’s Coffeehouse on November 24 in observance The Harley Davidson leather vest must be the key to Saturday, November 19 from of the Thanksgiving Holiday. memorizing the entire Bible.

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. CAB will be Classes will resume on Monday, showing television shows from November 27. the 1990s and early 2000s.

The Signal @obusignal 17 November Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for up-to-the-minute updates on everything going on around Ouachita Baptist.

Twitter: @obusignal Facebook: facebook.com/obusignal Instagram: @obusignal

from your perspective

TOP

5

Thanksgiving desserts

5 4 3 2 1

Sweet potato pie Apple pie Chocolate pie Pecan pie Pumpkin pie

What’s your secret to staying out all night to guard the Tiger?

Maggie Foreman Junior

Noah Bowman Junior

Ruthie Gaffner Sophomore

Morgan Fowler Junior

Baylee Overstreet Junior

“Potatoes.

All kinds of potatoes.”

“Turkey and mashed potatoes.”

“Leftover ham and rolls.”

“Dressing.”

“Stuffing.”

Thanksgiving basket drive to provide for community families

By SAVANNAH HOGG Staff writer

‘Tis the season for Thanksgiving, and the Ben M. Elrod Center is thankful for the opportunity to help the local Arkadelphia community through providing a Thanksgiving meal to families in need.

The Thanksgiving Basket drive began 11 years ago in 2006. It started out as a smaller project, but each year the Elrod Center is becoming more aware of the community’s needs, and the project has grown over the years.

The drive is primarily dependent on the entire faculty and student body at Ouachita.

Everyone on campus is encouraged to donate nonperishable food items such as canned vegetables, dressing and dessert mix. Once all the food has been gathered, students can volunteer to help stuff each basket with enough food for a family, and some even help deliver them to the Arkadelphia residents.

Most families who would benefit from the help are nominated by counselors at local Arkadelphia schools or

through the Lighthouse Ministry. Most of the families are either single moms with several children or those dealing with illness or job loss. The total number of families being served through this drive is 76.

Perhaps one of the best parts of the drive is the fact that the families are completely unaware that they are being given this gift. Because there is no application process and the families are picked through relationships and word of mouth, it is a complete surprise when they receive a phone call on Monday saying they will shortly be receiving an entire meal for the holidays.

“It’s just one meal a year and it doesn’t come with the promise of a job or more food. But sometimes one really special meal during the holidays is enough to remind people that they are not alone and that there are people who genuinely care,” said Judy Duvall, associate director of the Elrod Center.

The students that help deliver these baskets are always encouraged to get to know the families and offer prayer if they feel comfortable.

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Many times a family’s prayer requests and needs are made known, which gives the Elrod Center another opportunity to serve the Arkadelphia community by following up and doing what they can for these families.

“I’m thankful to be a part of a university this is continually looking upward and outward. We are becoming more like Christ as we serve and meet the needs of others,” Duvall said.

All students are encouraged to participate in this event at least once during their time at Ouachita. Being a part of this service project “gets us out of our comfort zone and reminds us that our lives are not our own. It also produces gratitude for the many things in our lives that we can easily take for granted,” Duvall said.

If students or faculty are interested in helping create these baskets, they may volunteer to do so on Monday, November 20th from 3-7 at the Elrod Center. For more information on the basket drive or to find a list of items needed, visit obu.edu/elrod or contact Judy Duvall at duvallj@obu.edu. n

Democrats

z Continued from Page 1 diverse group of people all with one thing in common– their political standing and a desire to find a community of individuals with similar ideas.

The group elected officers and began to form a foundation that was in accordance with the Democratic party, but also with the core beliefs of Ouachita as a Christian university. They did so by having Dr. Myra Houser as their faculty sponsor. Houser has guided students through the process of standing true to Ouachita’s beliefs as they worked to form a more liberal organization.

YDOBU also worked very closely with the Young Democrats of Arkansas, based in

Lecture

z Continued from Page 1 “It’s important that we as students acknowledge America’s difficult history and are able to understand its significance in the modern context,” said Rachel Bruton, a junior mass communications major from Mountain Home, Ark. “(Trent’s) work was really educational because the civil rights museum, as she was describing it, gives historical context as to why we have gang violence, why we have gun violence, why we have racism still today. For

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Little Rock. Working with both of these helped them form a constitution that is on the brink of being Ouachita approved.

As they look towards the future, the organization is focused on working closely with the other political organization on campus, the College Republicans. According to Woodall, both of the organizations strictly focus on encouraging Ouachita students to partake in political activities like debate nights and voting. Even though they might not agree on everything, both of the organizations still understand the goal of making students at Ouachita politically aware.

For more information on Young Democrats, contact Aaron Woodall at wod60698@ obu.edu.n someone who’s not a history major, it was interesting to hear how she was connecting history with the modern context.”

According to the AfricanAmerican Intellectual History Society, Trent holds a doctorate in American History from Howard University and her dissertation, “Frederick Douglass and the Making of American Exceptionalism,” examines how Douglass contributed to the American ideas of liberty, equality and individualism and eventually the ideology of American exceptionalism. n

The Signal is the student newspaper of Ouachita Baptist University, and is published every Friday during the fall and spring semesters when school is in session. The newspaper is distributed free of charge; 1,200 copies are placed in more than 20 locations across campus.

Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the newspaper staff or university. The Signal is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press and is printed by the Hope Star.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the editor are encouraged and accepted, unless libelous, irresponsible or obscene. Letters should be typed and include a signature and contact phone number, and must be less than 500 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and style. Letters should be sent via campus mail to Box 3761 or via e-mail to signal@obu.edu.

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Holidays away from home: OBU international student perspectives

By MORGAN HOWARD Staff writer In just a few days, Ouachita’s campus will empty out as everyone goes home for Thanksgiving break. However, there are many students whose homes are in different countries. What do international students do for this five-day break?

Kimberly Wong, a senior English major from Singapore, has experienced a traditional American Thanksgiving each year she has been at OBU. “I usually spend Thanksgiving break with a friend’s family,” Wong said. “My first year at Ouachita, I stayed with a family that I know from Singapore who lives in Kansas City, Mo., and my second year, I stayed with my best friend Angie’s family in Charlotte, N.C. This year, I’ll be spending Thanksgiving with my other best friend, Micah, in Ico, Ark. It’s really cool to experience the different Thanksgiving traditions

that different families have.”

For Wong, Thanksgiving food provides an unexpected reminder of home.

“Thanksgiving food here is actually Christmas food in Singapore, and Christmas Eve dinner is always my favorite meal back home,” she said. “The Thanksgiving food I’d never had before I came here and was totally surprised by liking was green bean casserole. I don’t usually like vegetables, but I can eat a whole bunch of green bean casserole.”

Not only does Wong enjoy the food of Thanksgiving; she also likes its meaning. Many people tend to see it as an American-specific holiday, with traditions and food that could appear strange to anyone who didn’t grow up in the U.S., but Wong finds herself right at home.

“I don’t think anything about Thanksgiving is weird!

It’s such a great time of year,” she said. “Do families ever tell the story of the pilgrims during Thanksgiving dinner?

I feel like if everyone’s get-

ting together, there should be a special story or something.

But it’s nice to just all get together to be thankful.”

Wong has enjoyed each Thanksgiving break she has spent in America, even taking part in activities like Black Friday shopping.

“During my first Thanksgiving, my friend Camilla and I went Black Friday shopping, and that was so much fun. I got some great stuff, including my first Christmas sweater. During my second Thanksgiving, my sister Roxanne was in the process of getting her master’s at Brown University in Rhode Island, and she flew down to North Carolina to join me and Angie’s family for the week. It was so good to spend time with her,” Wong said.

Although America and Singapore share similar Christmas traditions, Singapore obviously has several holidays unique to its own culture.

“My favorite Singaporean holiday is Chinese New Year,” Wong said. “It’s a lot like Thanksgiving because

Katie Stanagez Photo Lab KIMBERLY WONG poses on Ouachita’s bridge. Hailing from Singapore, Wong will graduate from Ouachita in May.

families have big reunion dinners, but we also go from house to house visiting relatives, and children get red packets filled with money from older, married relatives.

It’s a good time.”

Wong wasn’t surprised at all by her first Thanksgiving.

“I knew it was a really big family holiday and involved turkey,” she said, “and I don’t think I was too far off the mark.” n

Quality food and quality time: Kris Torres Thanksgiving more than just a meal: Gail Lange-Smith

said his favorite part of celebrating Thanksgiving is the Staff writer quality time it allows him to spend with the people he is While many countries closest to. celebrate their own unique “I really enjoy the qualversions of a Thanksgiving ity time that you have with holiday across the globe, people. Sometimes one of experiencing the Amerithe best things is after the can Thanksgiving from an meal where you just kind of outside perspective can be sit and talk with friends. Or something of even dura whirlwind. ing, when Kris Torres, a you’re havsenior Chrising good tian studies conversamajor from tions with Aguadilla, people.

Puerto Rico, “Somehas a unique times when perspective on I celebrated the traditional ThanksAmerican holigiving, it day. would be To r re s ’ with church mother grew family. On up in Arkana Saturday sas while his or a Sunfather grew day we up in Puerto would all Rico, and Torgather food res grew up t o g e t h e r. on the island Some peowith his fample would ily. He found play music, himself in the we would states after just talk and learning about spend time Ouachita from with little his mother, kids within and since he the conKris Torres z Courtesy wanted to go g re g a t i o n . to an English Having a “Having a lot of quality time is some- lot of qualspeaking university where ity time is thing I really cherish during the time he could study something of Thanksgiving.” theology, he that I cherKRIS TORRES made the deish during cision to move the time of to Arkadelphia to attend col- res has spent his Thanksgiv- Thanksgiving.” lege. After spending a few ings with fellow internation- Considering his home years in the United States, al students. country, Puerto Rico, is still Torres has become familiar ”Usually it involves just working toward recovering with Thanksgiving as Ameri- going to different people’s from the devastation left becans celebrate it. houses or going to a lot of hind by hurricane Maria in “Most people in Puerto church events where they September, Torres has much Rico do celebrate Thanksgiv- bring out food like mashed to reflect on during this seaing,” Torres said. “We call potatoes and turkey, some son. Torres said that right it Dia de Gracias, the day ham, a lot of bread rolls, now he is “being prayerful of thanks. We celebrate it green beans, corn, just a lot and hoping that things will with family. It’s kind of like of different typical southern be able to get better. HopChristmas, it’s like a prepa- food. When I usually cel- ing that the people there will ration. We roast pork and ebrate Thanksgiving here at still be able to be thankful to have different typical food OBU, I’ve gone with a lot of God for their health and also like rice, beans, chicken, dif- other international friends, for this time, although it can ferent soups and stews. My like friends from South Af- be hard, can bring healing mom, being from Arkansas, rica, Brazil, China, Germany. and community within other she makes a lot of south- We usually go out together people. ern food for Thanksgiving, and enjoy that time.” Torres “People recently have been but we also enjoy typical said his friends, who are not sharing food and spending Puerto Rican food. We have as used to Thanksgiving tra- time together and so it’s kind this combination of different ditions, are “all for it” when of like they’re being able to foods.” “there’s a time you can have be thankful in that environ “Being away from where fun together and eat togeth- ment and sharing and being you grew up is very diffi- er.” united with food and fellowcult,” Torres said. “Regard- While the traditional ship during this time that’s less of where you’re from, Thanksgiving food is a defi- passing in order to really soeven if you’re from Texas, it nite highlight of the holiday lidify relationships to build can be very hard. Celebrat- for Torres and his friends, he on towards the future.” n

By ANNI WILLIAMS

ing Thanksgiving in another environment can be sad, but at the same time it brings back good memories of the time’s you’ve had with family and being able to cherish those memories of not only your immediate family, but you’re extended family all together.”

Since coming to OBU, Tor-

By HANNAH WALKER Staff writer

Gail Lange-Smith, a senior dietetics major from Zimbabwe, is one of the funniest, most genuine people I have ever had the pleasure of talking to. When Lange-Smith came to the U.S. almost four years ago, she had no idea how big of an event Thanksgiving would be.

“Before I came, I imagined food, and you see the TV things like turkey breasts and cranberry sauce and all that kind of stuff, and a fireplace in the background, family sitting around sharing things they’re thankful for…and then I got here.”

The first Thanksgiving Lange-Smith celebrated was with some of her South African cousins she had only met once, in Maryland. This extended family provided the perfect Turkey Day introduction because they knew the excitement of celebrating it for the first time. They were able to intertwine some African dishes and culture into the unmistakably American holiday.

“I didn’t know where to start because there was so much food, there was no room for humans in that place. And you couldn’t actually set the table because there was too much food on the table. I didn’t know what to eat, I didn’t know what half the things were, but it was all really delicious, and I had to

try everything, because, you know, experiences. I actually felt sick afterwards… I didn’t want to eat for a week,” she said.

The extravagance of the holiday was initially shocking. Before she came to Ouachita, she “thought it was just actually a day of being thankful, and had no idea the story behind it.”

However, Lange-Smith has become acculturated over the years. “I don’t think about it now, but in freshman year I was just asking, ‘why’, because coming from a place where money is so tight, and you don’t really spend a whole lot on decorations and things, I wondered, ‘why are you spending money on a big blow up turkey to go in your front yard? That’s not helping anyone, it is just constantly consuming energy.’

“I now understand the concept of it, but coming in I was a bit like, ‘this is such a waste.’ Now that I’ve been here and understand the society, it is really beautiful that people take the time to decorate and that people take pleasure in that. It is just learning, because you come in with one perspective and you’re like ‘what the heck’ and then you see why people do stuff and you’re like ok, that’s nice. [Thanksgiving] is celebrated for a reason that means a lot to your history; it originally didn’t mean much to me, and that’s why I came in judging it, but now I appreciate it.” n

Gail Lange-Smith z Courtesy GAIL LANGE-SMITH, a senior at Ouachita, calls Zimbabwe home. LangeSmith has spent the last three Thanksgivings in the United States.

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“Dormet” cuisine: meal ideas you’re likely missing out on

By CATHERINE LYP Staff writer

As college students, we are constantly busy. From studying to exams and trying to squeeze in time for social interaction, things can get pretty hectic. With all this activity, it can be hard to get to the cafeteria. Whether it’s because of the project you procrastinated finishing until the last moment or wishing to spend an hour relaxing with your favorite television show, some of us end up skipping a meal to stay in the comfort of our dorm rooms. However, there are several recipes that result in delicious meals that are easily made without a stove.

If you are like me and savor your sleep, you probably choose to stay in bed for an extra hour rather than go to the cafeteria, so here are a few easy breakfast recipes you can make in your dorm room. The first and simplest recipe is an omelet in a mug. Start by cracking and whisking one to two eggs in a microwave-safe mug, then set it aside. Continue by dicing any vegetables or meats you want in your omelet and

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adding them to the mug.

Next, mix the ingredients to make sure the toppings are well combined with the egg before putting it in the microwave for two to three minutes, depending upon its wattage. After the egg has cooked, you can add cheese if desired and then it is ready to enjoy.

The second recipe, overnight oats, requires more preparation but also allows for the option to get-up-andgo. Begin by getting a container or jar and adding one serving of vanilla or plain yogurt. Next, add a splash of milk, a cup of quick oats,and any fruit or toppings for flavor. Then, simply mix well and put in the refrigerator to enjoy in the morning. If you

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are not a fan of fruit, there are several different variations on this recipe. Not only could you change the type of fruit or grains you add, but to add a different flavor entirely, simply opt for a flavored yogurt rather than vanilla. Other toppings such as cinnamon or honey could be added as well to further alter the flavor possibilities.

If you have a blender in your dorm room, a possible breakfast option is a variation of a smoothie. First, add any fruits, yogurt or other ingredients that you would typically use to make a smoothie.

Once well blended, pour the mixture into a bowl and top with grains and fruit of your choice and enjoy.

While there are only a few

options for in-dorm breakfasts, the possibilities for lunch and dinner meals to make are endless.

Going from simple to gourmet, an easy and delicious meal you can make in a dorm is macaroni and cheese. As “Tasty” from Buzzfeed instructs, begin by filling a mug with macaroni noodles, half a cup of water, and a pinch of salt. After cooking the noodles in the microwave for two to three minutes, stir in a splash of milk, cheese and a pinch of pepper before returning it to the microwave for thirty seconds or until the cheese is melted. Once done, just mix well and it is ready to eat.

Another common but often forgotten recipe that can

be made in a dorm room is a baked potato. First, use a fork to poke holes along all sides of your potato before putting it in the microwave for three to four minutes.

Next, use the fork to open the potato and mash the inside of the potato until you get the desired consistency. Finish by adding any toppings of your choice, such as cheese or sour cream.

Lastly, if you want something new, but still like the classic ramen noodles, try Lauren Conrad’s recipe.

Start by cooking the noodles as you normally would, but rather than adding the seasoning packet, put the noodles aside. Next, steam some vegetables in the microwave, either by putting chopped vegetables into a small glass bowl with a little water and microwaving for a minute or by steaming vegetables in a frozen bag from the grocery store. Once the vegetables are done, stir them into the noodles and add soy sauce or seasoning to finish it off.

So next time you are having a bad day, have to study or just don’t want to go to the cafeteria, don’t give up a meal, use your cooking skills and make some #dormet. n

The boys are back in town: a look “Martha Marcy May at “Stranger Things” season 2 Marlene”: a film review

By JARETT BONNER

By MICHAEL RICHARDSON

Guest writer

Staff writer

Stranger Things, the smash hit of 2016, immediately became one of Netflix’s biggest showrunners. With the release of their second season, everyone has another chance to return to Hawkins, Indiana.

The story picks up close to one year later, around the time of Halloween. Will Byers, who is now a series regular, is trying his best to live a normal life. However, he keeps having bizarre visions where he finds himself in the Upside Down. Because of his contact with the strange alternate world of the Upside Down in the first season, he must have consistent checkups and psychological evaluations by Dr. Sam Owens, who has now taken over the Hawkins Lab after the events of season one. However, things are not safe in Hawkins as these visions reveal a new threat coming: the Mind Flayer, as it becomes named, an evil shadow monster that controls and rules the Upside Down that is seeking control of Earth. The gate between Earth and the Upside down is weakening and growing bigger as the Mind Flayer prepares for all out invasion. This invasion would be the end of all life as we know it and leaves the show’s cast of heroes and survivors as the only ones aware and determined to stop it, or at best delay it.

On top of introducing Dr. Owens, the show also introduces a few other new characters: Max and Billy, two step-siblings whose family just moved from California to Hawkins. Mike, Dustin, Lucas and Will become obsessed with figuring out who Max is when she beats their high scores at the arcade, and she soon finds herself becoming part of the group with push back from Mike, who misses Eleven and doesn’t want another girl in the group. Billy, however, begins to challenge Steve’s social status, who, has

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grown and had major heart change since the events of the first season. Steve now no longer feels the need to put on a tough guy mask to impress his friends, but instead is a more down to earth character. We are also introduced to Bob Newby, Joyce Byers’ new boyfriend.

One thing this season does a great and realistic job of doing is showing how traumatic events change people. There is no character that was involved with last season that is not unscathed or changed.

Nancy is broken by the loss of Barbara and the lack of closure for her family. Steve is no longer the strutting coolkid bully stereotype, but now more of a dynamic character. Mike is broken up about the loss of Eleven. Joyce is very protective of Will and his wellbeing. And the rest of the kids are bogged down by the stress of keeping the truth of last season a secret.

The changes in attitude and demeanor of the characters is one of those little things that makes the show more believable. Too often something happens that is crazy and traumatic in shows and the character’s psyche seems totally fine or normal in the next episode. The point of showing people’s change as characters like this is to add that extra depth that makes characters feel more believable.

The relationships of this season are great as well. All of these characters feel far

closer to each other over shared trauma than they do to anyone else. There is a fun big brother relationship between Dustin and Steve that immerges in this season.

The two have great chemistry as they banter and joke with each other, and Steve gives Dustin advice on how to interact with girls. Mike and Will’s close friendship is also something more elaborated on this season than in the first season, bringing more depth to the two and revealing more on why Mike was so determined to find Will in the first season.

The best character relationship in this season, though, is that between Jim Hopper and Eleven. There is a great father-daughter relationship between the two. This adds a softness to Jim Hopper’s character, as he begins to see Eleven like another chance at being a parent after the loss of his daughter that we learned about in season one.

Stranger Things season two is a great addition to the known story. It is full of twists and mystery, answering one question, then presenting another. It keeps you engaged and wanting more.

All around I would give Stranger Things season two a big thumbs up. If you enjoyed the first season, you will have a great time with the second.

Stranger Things continues to be one of the best shows released in the last few years, and I know that personally I can’t wait to see more. n

Martha Marcy May Marlene is a little known film from 2011. The film stars Elizabeth Olsen in her first role, Sarah Paulson and John Hawkes. Martha Marcy May Marlene begins with Martha running away from the farmhouse and cult that she has been with for two years.

Martha’s recently wed sister, Lucy (played by Sarah Paulson), takes Martha in and allows her to stay in her and her husband’s house. Martha covers up her whereabouts by telling Lucy that she ran away to live with her boyfriend for the past two years.

This, however, does not explain Martha’s odd behavior and culture shock. Martha’s paranoia grows as she reminisces about the things that happened to her at the hands of the cult’s leader, Patrick (played by John Hawkes).

Martha’s experiences are told through a series of unsettling flashbacks that explain her current behavior. Lucy and her husband Ted begin to worry about Martha as she invades their privacy and refuses to tell them the truth about what she has been through. Martha’s paranoia finally grows to the point that Lucy and Ted do not feel comfortable in their own home.

Martha Marcy May Marlene is brilliant, subtle, and thought-provoking. Everything that makes this film great is the subtlety and nuance. Everything, even down to the color grading, feels intentional. This film is very dimly lit – bright colors pop against white walls and something seems intentionally wrong with the brightness of these colors and the dimness of the world they are surrounded by. It is as if happiness, joy, excitement and emotions of the like are not meant for the world of Martha Marcy May Marlene.

The camera moves hauntingly between past and present as the audience watches Martha forget who she is and

try to relearn who she was.

There is a scene in particular where Patrick sings a song in honor of Martha in which the camera, at an uncomfortably slow rate zooms in on Patrick’s face and forces us to feel what Martha is feeling, recognition.

One of the many themes in this film is belonging and the extent people go to in order to feel like they belong.

Martha becomes absolutely absorbed into this cult and loses her sense of identity, all in the name of belonging, of having a place in life. Another cult member says a line to Martha early in her arrival: “If you’ll find your role. It takes time for people to find their role in a new family.”

This line is vital. Martha’s mother is dead and her father left. Lucy doesn’t understand her, and she feels homeless.

Then comes this line. Martha has been told that she is in a family–she finally belongs somewhere.

Unfortunately, Martha can’t just be part of this family, she has to have a role.

She has to do something to earn their approval and feel that sense of belonging that she is yearning for. Martha’s role turns into regular abuse. Martha is renamed “Marcy May” and regularly abused so that she can be a part of this cult–so that she can feel a sense of belonging.

The abuse becomes normal for Martha and she starts to long for it. It becomes part of her identity. Martha is a mirror for our own lives; we do things that we don’t want to do sometimes for people that we don’t even like in an attempt to feel like we belong.

Martha Marcy May Marlene is an incredible film that challenges societal norms and forces the viewer to think beyond what they know to be true. The film boasts an incredible performance from Elizabeth Olsen, arresting cinematography and a knockout story. It can be a slow burn at times, but the amazing performances make up for the lack of action. You should definitely watch Martha Marcy May Marlene. n

OPINIONS

Friday, November 17, 2017 u page 5

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Respecting proper theatre etiquette

By KACY SPEARS Staff writer

Earlier this month, The New York Post published an article titled “Actors say rude audiences are destroying Broadway,” but rude audiences have expanded their scope and are doing considerable damages on college campuses, as well.

I had the honor of working backstage on Ouachita’s theatre production of “Blood Wedding.” As actors and crew members alike prepared for opening night, our blood was pumping faster than we cared to admit. We were anxious and praying for an audience that would receive the show as the beauty that Lorca wrote it to be.

Alas, our hopes were popped like a balloon, and the bullies with the needle were the raucous audience. They somehow overlooked the beauty and depth of the show to only see it in a realm far beneath what we thought we were presenting. They saw colleagues onstage rather than hard-working thespians portraying a part.

They didn’t allow themselves to be immersed in this world the department had spent weeks creating.

At intermission, we shared our grief and prayed for our audience to level with us, to see the show with new eyes. Unfotunately, we were disappointed yet again by laughter at scenes where characters were making life-altering decisions or fate was in control, scenes that would chill their spines if they truly listened to them.

So, why is it so disruptive? Audiences gather to have a good time and celebrate time with one another as well as see the show, right? So, why is it such a big deal that they must put their phones away, tune in to the frequency of the art in front of them and behave? Because by not doing so, they create a divide in the actor’s mind, a rift between the character they have become and their true selves. They have different motives and can be separated to be different beings.

The character wants to progress the plot, add interest or create conflict. The human student onstage

wants their friends, family members and community to receive them well and congratulate their hard efforts by suspending their disbelief for an hour and a half to fully understand the gargantuan scale of character work they’ve put in. A rogue laugh or bright cell phone screen can cause the actor to switch from character to person, dropping the façade they’ve worked diligently to create. Imagine putting your heart and soul into creating an art piece for your audience to step on it at your showing. It hurts.

Broadway actors have been in an outrage about disruptive audiences creating a bad name for their art. In a 2015 run of “Shows for Days,” Patti LuPone snatched a cell phone right out of an audience member’s hands!

Here are a few helpful tips on theatre etiquette: Tip #1 Understand before you enter the theatre that this is an art form. You should behave as if you were at a gallery showing or art museum.

Tip #2 Know that the actors onstage depend on your attention. Oftentimes, actors feed from the audience’s attentiveness to their performance. This means that for a better performance from an actor, you as an audience member must be willing to suspend your disbelief and engage fully with the product in front of you.

Tip #3 Cell phones should be turned off! That little preshow announcement asking you to put your phones away isn’t just for fun.

We’re pretty serious about that. By having your phone out, it’s telling your friends onstage that you don’t care about what they’re doing and prefer to invalidate their profession.

Tip #4 Become an advocate for the theatre. If you see someone sitting next to you on their phones, sleeping or talking loudly to their friends, it’s ok to politely say, “Hey, everyone involved in this production worked really hard. Maybe we should respect that.”

Tip #5 Don’t put your feet on the stage. That is our stage.

Don’t do it. n

Thanksgiving or Black Friday?

By KATHERINE CARTER

Opinions editor Even though the focus of many has already shifted to Christmas as of November 1, Thanksgiving is coming up next week, and it serves as a good reminder for us to reflect on what we have.

That being said, looming behind Thanksgiving, the holiday where we celebrate with family about the blessings of life, is Black Friday, where we trample others for marked-down items we do not and will never need.

I’ve never been one to get into Black Friday shopping, partly because I’ve never been one to enjoy getting up early when I didn’t have to.

But I know a lot of people who don’t mind losing a little sleep for Black Friday.

Just picture this: we get together with friends and family we hardly see, prepare food and retell the same stories that we always do each year. We enjoy the company of our loved ones and share those things for which we are most thankful. We thank the Lord for blessing us with what and who we have in our lives.

Then…BAM! We huddle outside our Targets, Walmarts and other big-name stores (which now open on Thanksgiving Day, by the way) and wait for the doors to open so we can elbow people in the face for the chance to get our hands on TVs, iPads and other goods.

Or, now that we have Amazon, we can grab our laptops and spend the rest of the day scouring for things we don’t need simply because they’re a lot cheaper.

Okay, what is wrong with us?

We just prayed to God thanking him for blessing us with what we have and sharing with our loved ones about how thankful we are.

Then we stuff ourselves into cars to raid the big-box stores or sequester ourselves in our rooms with our laptops to purchase stuff we just said we didn’t need.

Just let that sink in.

I get it. I’m guilty of it myself. It’s easy to get wrapped into Black Friday, especially now that we can participate online without having to deal with all the crazy people outside. It’s a great way to get something you’ve been wanting for a while at a ridiculously good price, not to mention those who are look-

ing to do a little early Christmas shopping. In fact, I’m sure most of us are guilty of getting into it. That’s what’s so crazy about it!

We are so caught up in consumerism and materialism that we blatantly disregard a holiday that we just celebrated hours before. We have allowed the consumerism beast to gorge itself to the point that it felt it needed to occupy Thanksgiving as well as the Friday after. Black Friday has taken over Thanksgiving.

There are a lot of great things about America, but flagrant materialism is not one of them. We get so caught up in getting the best of the best (translation: new), whether that be our cars, our smartphones (I’m looking at you, iPhone X), our houses, etc. We value ourselves based on how much stuff we have rather than our character. We have this false idea that material goods control our happiness, and those with less should be pitied. In fact, it’s often the opposite.

Those of us who grew up

Campus Cat Chronicles Thanksgiving is such a good time to remember all that I have here at OBU!

People who pet and feed me, McClellan, Chick-fil-a...it’s all so great!

as Christians can probably recite the Lord’s Prayer by heart. In the Lord’s Prayer, after Jesus instructs to honor God, he tells us to ask the Lord for our daily bread. Not a whole bakery’s worth—our daily bread. Jesus tells us to ask God for what we need daily, nothing more, and nothing less. God provides for us exactly what we need.

For us living in America, he has provided way more than we will ever need. Yet, we always want more.

I’m going to offer a challenge to you, readers, which I myself will do my best to follow as well. I challenge you to ask God to make you satisfied with what you have.

I challenge you to give generously, maybe with the money you were going to spend during Black Friday shopping, to your local church and/or other ministries. I’m going to go so far as to challenge you to skip Black Friday this year and instead reflect on what God has blessed you with.

Family and friends will always be better than stuff anyway. n

By Katherine Carter

I just wish they’d let me have Thanksgiving dinner!

SPORTS

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Friday, November 17, 2017 u page 6

BOTR win clinches GAC title and playoff berth

By CALEB BYRD Sports editor

The Battle of the Ravine is always a special game for the Ouachita football team, but this year’s game meant a little bit more.

The Tigers’ 49-42 win over Henderson Saturday afternoon clinched the Tigers’ third Great American Conference championship, gave Ouachita a berth in the NCAA Playoffs and broke Henderson’s 31-game road winning streak.

“When you put it all together and do it all at the same time, it’s just amazing,” Ouachita head coach Todd Knight said. “First of all, the Battle of the Ravine. It wouldn’t really matter if there was something else on it; it’s just fun to win that game. For these guys to come back after the two early losses and go 9-2 and win the conference and now have a chance to go to the playoffs, it’s just a great feeling for the guys. They’re so deserving – the way they practice, the work they put into it off the field.”

Drew Harris was the star of the show Saturday afternoon. Listed on the roster as a wide receiver, Harris moves into the quarterback position when the Tigers face a shortyardage situation. The junior ran for four touchdowns out of that formation and caught three more touchdown pass-

Hannah Smith z Photo Lab KRIS OLIVER fights through Reddies defenders Saturday afternoon. Oliver had a slow start to the season after missing most of the first few games to injury but has kicked his game into gear, rushing for over 100 yards in three games.

es from wide receiver. He finished the game with 153 receiving yards and 58 rushing yards. Harris received the GAC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance and is currently second in Division II with 26 total touchdowns this season.

“He led our devotion last night,” Knight said of Harris.

“He’s more than just a great football player; he’s a great young man. Coach Derby and the offense staff put him in position, but he’s a phenomenal player. He makes the plays. He gets it done.”

Harris’ performance highlighted an efficient showing for the Tiger offense.

Redshirt-senior quarterback Austin Warford completed 85 percent of his passes, while the offense did not turn the football over one time. The team also had a perfect red zone conversion rate, scoring every time the team had the ball within the Henderson 20-yard line.

The Ouachita defense put in a solid showing as well, stopping the Reddies when it needed to and forcing three turnovers. Senior linebacker

Luke Holt led the team with 14 total tackles while also forcing a fumble and recovering another. Defensive backs Zach Miller and Tevin Jones accrued 11 tackles each.

The Tigers will look to take momentum from their excellent performance against Henderson into their first playoff game against the Ferris State Bulldogs (9-1) on Saturday in Big Rapids, Mich.

Ouachita is the fifth seed in the Super Region, while Ferris State is the fourth seed.

Ferris State is ranked 12th in Division II and is enter-

ing the playoffs for its fourth consecutive season. The Bulldogs have won their last seven games and defeated Michigan Tech last week by a final score of 49-7. The team’s sole loss came in its third game of the season against Ashland, who is ranked second in the Super Region.

Ferris State has a balanced offense, averaging 219 passing yards and 229 rushing yards each game. The team is led by a sophomore quarterback Travis Russell who has thrown for 1168 yards and nine touchdowns this season. However, Russell has also thrown seven interceptions and has only completed 50 percent of his passes. The Bulldogs also are led by star receiver Malik Taylor who has 757 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.

After finishing the season with five straight wins, you can expect Ouachita to be confident heading into the playoffs. The seniors remember the last time the Tigers made the playoffs in 2014 and the heartbreak that came with an overtime loss to Minnesota-Duluth. This time around, the Tigers will look to right their wrongs and make a run at the NCAA championship.

To keep up with the Tigers tomorrow, listen to the Ouachita Football Network on 97.1 FM or on OBUTigers. com. n

NBA season off to Men’s soccer beats Harding to win GAC championship an exciting start

By WILL JOHNSON Staff writer

The highly anticipated NBA season has arrived. Fans of all 30 professional teams have awaited with eagerness the success or failure of their favorite teams. Future stars enter the league carrying high expectations, while veterans aim to provide their team with leadership. Each player faces the same challenge: winning the NBA Finals.

In 2017, the frontrunners are expected to be the same, but many contenders look to dethrone the NBA favorites.

In the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers are the clear frontrunners to reach the finals for the fourth season in a row. LeBron James seeks his eighth straight appearance, leading a Cleveland team that is off to a slow start to the season. The Cavaliers traded point guard Kyrie Irving, but acquired Isaiah Thomas after an outstanding year with the Boston Celtics. Thomas may not see the court this season after suffering an injury a year ago, but former MVP Derrick Rose looks to contribute in place of Thomas. Dwayne Wade, also included in the offseason, partners with James for the second time in search of another championship ring.

The Celtics also hope to win the East under Head Coach Brad Stevens. Although Gordon Hayward suffered a leg injury on opening night, Boston has exploded to an early Eastern Conference lead.

A balance of Irving and Al Horford mixed with several young players has placed the Celtics into the NBA Finals contender category. Boston will be challenged, however, by the excellent guard play of the Washington Wizards.

After finishing fourth in the East a year ago, the Wizards, led by John Wall and Bradley Beal, hope to pursue an even higher finish.

In the Western Confer-

ence, every opponent seems to be chasing Golden State.

The defending champions welcome back three-point shooters Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, along with Draymond Green and Kevin Durant. The Houston Rockets, however, have the early season’s best record in the conference, which includes a 122-121 win over the Warriors on opening night. The Rockets acquired Chris Paul in the summer to take over the point guard position and move James Harden to his preferred shooting guard role.

Oklahoma City Thunder made a huge splash in the offseason, adding Carmelo Anthony and Paul George to the team. The Thunder, like the Cavaliers, have experienced a slow start primarily due to moving pieces. Russell Westbrook, last year’s MVP, expects his team to figure things out as the season progresses. The Minnesota Timberwolves also came up big in the offseason, acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls. Minnesota returns a dangerous backcourt of Jeff Teague, Andrew Wiggins and Butler, but also brings back double-double machine KarlAnthony Towns.

The San Antonio Spurs always pose a threat in the Western Conference. Head Coach Gregg Popovich searches for his sixth title in a season when the West is stronger than ever. San Antonio’s centerpiece, Kawhi Leonard, is projected to return at some point this season after picking up an injury in last year’s playoffs.

The NBA season should be filled with highlight dunks from Giannis Antetokounmpo, three-pointer after three-pointer by Curry, triple-double battles between Harden and Westbrook, rookie standouts and buzzer beaters. If the season turns out even near what’s expected, fans will be in for an exciting season. n

By JOSH SALIM Staff writer

The Ouachita men’s soccer team had an impressive year which culminated in a GAC championship.

In conference, the team had a record of 4-2-0, while overall they finished the season 9-7-1. The season ended on November 5 with a 3-1 GAC championship game victory over Harding.

The semifinal game of the GAC tournament proved to be one of the hardest, but most impactful games of the season. After falling behind 3-1 against Oklahoma Baptist University, senior Tinashe Chigede scored two goals to tie the game and send Ouachita into overtime play.

Chigede completed his hat trick during the 107th minute of play as he scored off of a goalkeeper’s deflection to send the team to the GAC championship.

Going into the championship game, Ouachita head coach Wilson Jones tried to remind his team to stay focused on what they do.

“Playing against Harding is always a rivalry game. Our approach has always been to treat every game like it is just another game. The guys knew what was at stake so it was our job as a staff to keep them calm and execute our game plan,” Jones said. “We told the guys that it’s normal to be nervous and have but-

Matt Wallak z Courtesy THE OUACHITA men’s soccer team poses after their GAC championship win on November 5. The Tigers defeated Harding 3-1 in the championship game.

terflies. That’s part of competing for championships.

Everyone has that. Mentally, it was about staying focused on playing towards what makes us successful.”

Jones also decided to start a more experienced group of players for the championship game than he had started all season.

“I think it is important, especially during the postseason, that you have guys on the field that have played at that level and know how to react to it,” Jones said.

All three of the goals scored in the game were by seniors who had not started much during the regular season.

During the game, Harding outshot Ouachita’s offense, but Ouachita scored all three of its goals on set pieces.

“The best part was when the clock hit all zeros and I watched the guys celebrate.

They put in a lot of work through the preseason and dealt with quite a bit of adversity throughout the regular season. Seeing the seniors go out on top was a pretty special moment,” Jones said.

Although Jones is proud of his team for their accomplishments this year, he understands that there is still a lot of work to be done for next year.

“We have a lot of quality players leaving us due to graduation. We also have a lot of quality players still here,” Jones said. “I think we need to get stronger physically and mentally and we need some guys to step up and assume more of a leadership role within the team...

Winning a conference is great, but we cannot become complacent and happy with where we are. We have to get better.” n

Basketball topples Division I UALR

By JORDAN ARGO Sports Information

The Ouachita Baptist men’s basketball team (1-0) defeated NCAA Division I Little Rock (0-1) 81-79 Saturday afternoon to kick off regular season play.

Ouachita led by as many as 11 points before surviving a late surge from Little Rock.

The Tigers watched their lead dwindle down to as low as three points during the

final minute. Mahlon Martin iced the game for Ouachita as a made free throw, with just seconds remaining, pushed the Tigers out to a four-point lead. Little Rock hit a layup as time expired to bring the final score to 81-79.

Ouachita pulled off the upset hitting 55-percent of its shots from the field and 1428 from behind the 3-point line. Little Rock equaled the Tigers’ shooting percentage, but was held to hitting just

6-20 of its shots from behind the arc.

Willis and Stanley led the charge for Ouachita, as the two combined for 35 points. Willis led all players with 18 points on the afternoon while also collecting five rebounds and three assists. Stanley finished with 17 points in the upset win.

Martin and Wesley Franklin gave the Tigers four players with doubledigit points. n