The Patriot - February 4, 2021 by The Patriot

Letter from the Managing Editor

Dear Patriots,

How are you all feeling about how close we are to Valentine’s Day? Maybe you’re excited to spend the day with your significant other, dreading feeling more single than you do any other day of the year or stressed because it came faster than expected and you don’t have a gift yet. I can relate to only one of those options but I won’t share which one. For me, I plan to celebrate the community around me this week. Could it be that we make Valentine’s Day about more than expectations to prove to a significant other that we love them? Not that showing significant others how we feel is a bad thing but maybe it doesn’t have to be limited to that. Either way, the holiday does have beauty to it and I hope you all enjoy it. Oh, and make sure to take advantage of all the chocolate that will be on sale soon.

Something that I have been thinking about recently is the dangerous game of comparison that is so easy to play. I know that I catch myself comparing my looks, my personality, my life goals and my skills to those around me. It is hard to be content in knowing that we are enough. Social media can be one of the easiest ways to begin to compare ourselves. I think it is important to remember that what we see of others is only a highlight reel of their life. Let’s love ourselves and continue to grow while we support others and continue to be kind. I’m excited for you all to see this issue and I hope you have a great February!

Only by grace,

Jenna Rose, Managing Editor

Jenna Rose, Managing Editor

Editor-In-Chief

Haley Bullock

Managing Editor

Jenna Rose

Social Media Coordinator

Abigail Fletcher

Faculty Adviser

Jeremiah Massengale

Staff

Makayla Durham

Nathan Evans

Cassidy Howard

Kristin Mitchell

Masyn Mitchell

Alex Nunn

Maranda Young

Guest Contributor

Aaron Wharton

Front cover by Abigail Fletcher

Back cover by Jenna Rose

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The Patriot is the student publication of the University of the Cumberlands. Our goal is to provide timely and original content by highlighting campus news and views.

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Where’s Bernie?

Bernie Sanders at the 2021 Inauguration has taken over social media

BY ABIGAIL FLETCHER Social Media Coordinator

The inauguration of the 46th President, Joe Biden, was yet another historically different event due to COVID-19. The socially distanced crowds, musicians and political leaders all worked together for a smooth swear-in process for President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. While there were many focal points during the inauguration, arguably, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders stole the spotlight with his supporter-made mittens by Jen Ellis. Rachel Scott, a UC junior says, “I think it went viral because all throughout 2020-21 we have seen government officials go on and on about how only they can make the change that will get us out of the pandemic. I think it was nice to see a government official look as fed up as we all feel.” Samuel Golden, a UC senior, says “His casual dress and posture about the[inauguration] added to the humor. He doesn’t seem to be giving a swag. I think part of the reason it blew up is that it was funny but not offensive to any people or group.”

Ellis lives residentially in Vermont as a second grade teacher. The creation of the mittens came from the loss of Bernie Sanders during the presidential election of 2016. Ellis stated in an interview with Jo Yurcaba from NBC News, “I was making mittens for all of the preschool teachers for holiday gifts, and I made an extra pair for Bernie. I put a little note in that just said something like, ‘I really support you, and I like you, and I hope you run again.’”

This isn’t the first appearance of the mittens. Sanders wore them during a campaign trail and Ellis tweeted about how she makes these mittens regularly and from recycled bottles. Since the explosion of the meme, Ellis has had over 16,000 emails inquiring about purchasing the mittens. The earnings Ellis received of the mittens go to raise money for LGBTQ youth.

After the surfacing of the memes, the internet took it upon themselves to photoshop Sanders in historical events, movies and anything they can imagine. Even the University of the Cumberlands posted photoshopped images of Sanders in the Kohn Theatre located in Grace Crum Rollins on

their official Instagram account. Another UC associated page, University of the Cumberlands Alumni, posted an old black and white photo of Johnson Hall, now Gillespie, with Sanders sitting out front. The memes are endless. Rachel Scott, UC junior, says “When I first saw it, I thought it was pretty funny and the memes that followed just increased the humor. The internet excels at maig the most mundane news stories into hilarious trends.” Sanders has been spotted in Twilight, in Bird Box and with Deadpool the list goes on and on. Even one of UC’s own art and human service majors, Emily Lordeo, drew a little art piece of Sanders. Lordeo, says, “I did it for my friend Shelbie’s since Valentine’s Day is coming up and she’s obsessed with Bernie’s mittens.”

Sanders took notice of the popularity of the meme and used it to sell merch to raise money for charity. In five days, Sanders raised $1.8 million dollars for organizations in Vermont for hunger relief and other social issues. Aaron Johnson, a UC senior, states about Sanders donation to charity, “The fact that he can take a picture that people are using to make fun of him and using that to make shirts and merchandise that people want to buy so that he can donate the proceeds shows some character.” Another UC senior, Samuel Golden, has a differing opinion over the charity saying, “I applaud those who have been able to make money from the meme and use that for charity. Though wouldn’t it have been easier for Bernie to just take that money from the 1% and give it to charity? Just a thought.” Madi Hensley, a UC junior, says “I think turning it into merch was brilliant. People will lose their minds over memes until we decide we don’t care anymore, so why not take that time to raise money for people and groups in need? It seemed like a great way to spread word about the foundations.”

Photo courtesy of NBC

Art by Emily Loredo

New Year, New Bird

UC’s Papaw buys himself a 1964 Ford Thunderbird

BY ABIGAIL FLETCHER Social Media Coordinator

“Devastating.” That’s how UC sophomore Matthew Brock would describe 2020 in only one word. This single word summary is one of the many used to describe this unique year.

Among all the things that happened this year, Brock had a few good things come out in 2020. “I was lucky enough to find a well-paying job. It enabled me to be able to buy my first car.” Matthew Brock is well-known amongst his peers to be an old soul. This can be represented in the way he speaks, dresses and the music he listens to. Brock was soon coined as “papaw” by friends due to his fashion sense. Brock himself says, “In my opinion, when it comes to clothing, cars and music older is better. They are cheaper, [have a] higher quality and have lasted longer.”

Haley Bullock, UC junior and friend of Brock, says, “Matthew looks like he just stepped out of a time machine from the 1960s. Even though Matthew already stood out with his fashion sense, now with the Thunderbird it gives more of a reason for people to take a second glance at him.” To take it a step further, Brock wanted an old classic car. “I have been a fan of classic cars all my life. When I was nine or ten years old, I started watching documentaries to learn all the makes and models. Specifically, the Ford Thunderbird has played some parts in my life. There was a ‘95 Thunderbird that sat in our backyard. I’d play in it and raise the hood to check the oil that sort of stuff. I really liked that car. I wanted it to be my first car.”

Another occurrence with the Thunderbird was when Brock was 16 years old. “My cousin got a 1987 Thunderbird. I loved that car. I truly thought it was the coolest car in the world.” Luckily enough, Brock had his spirit reignited for old cars. “Over the summer, I got back into older vehicles. I wanted to buy my first vehicle, but I want it to be a classic car.” After looking on Facebook Marketplace, Brock found an ad in Harkinger, Virginia for a 1964 Ford Thunderbird. Brock decided on this car after a long journey giving Lucille, the Thunderbird, a new home. The name Lucille was inspired by one of Brock’s favorite rock n’ roll pioneers Little Richard and his 1957 hit “Lucille.” Brock says, “This car has had a hard life. I believe we should try to preserve them. It is a part of history worth saving.”

Going into the New Year for Brock would’ve looked much different without having Lucille. “I would be absolutely miserable [without it.] It is a refuge for me. If I am feeling stressed or bummed out, I go work on the car or drive it.” A perfect day for Brock would be to wake up early, turn on his favorite music and take Lucille out to a car show.

Photo by Abigail Fletcher

Jewelry and Positivity

Ambitious UC student continues positive hobby in 2021

BY JENNA ROSE Managing Editor

The Bible states, “And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times” (Psalms 12:6 NIV). Abby Elam, a sophomore at the University of the Cumberlands, continues to grow her small business based on this and other Biblical truths in 2021. After the challenges faced globally in 2020, many feel the need to find positivity in small things as a new year begins. The best way to do so could be literally wearing positivity around your wrist for Christians and non-believers.

Elam began selling bracelets made out of smashed pennies during her senior year of high school and created her Etsy shop, Pennies + Promises. Elam originally had the idea for her bracelets, now bracelets and keychains, when she needed to raise money for a program called Where You Go. Elam says, “It’s a program where you go to three different countries for nine months and do mission work.”

Mission trips are when Christians travel to a different area or areas to tell others about what they believe or serve others by helping them with needs. Elam shared that God ultimately took her on a different journey. While she was unable to attend the trip she had planned, she was able to use the money she raised to travel to Uganda with an organization called Kairos International.

The majority of the products from Pennies + Promises have words or phrases on them that relate to the Bible and God’s promises in the Bible. Elam says, “The goal for that is that when people wear their bracelets or look at their keychains, they will be reminded of what God says, His promises, or things that He is calling them to do, so it’s just a good reminder.”

The Pennies + Promises products are beginning to be sold in physical locations as well. Em + Me, a shop in downtown Georgetown, Kentucky, has been carrying the products since November of 2020. Another shop called The Olive Branch in Wilmore, Kentucky began selling the products in January of 2021.

Elam’s customers seem to be pleased with her Pennies + Promises products. “Her bracelets are beautiful, unique, and great quality,” said Miranda Feltner, a fellow University of the Cumberlands student and customer of Pennies + Promises, “The items keep getting better, so I can’t wait to see what she does in 2021.”

The beginning of 2021 hasn’t looked much different than 2020. The hope of many lies in small reminders and little things that people do for others. Abby Elam’s creativity and heart for God’s word will benefit others in 2021, and she doesn’t intend to stop making her products anytime soon. She says, “I don’t know if it will always be bracelets, but I definitely think it is something I want to continue.” Pennies + Promises has an Instagram, Facebook, and Etsy page for anyone interested in checking out the products or learning more.

Photos courtesy of Pennies + Promises

First episode review for SK8: the Infinity” “Snowfall on a Hot Night”

BY HALEY BULLOCK Editor-in-Chief

Think “Haikyuu!!” but with skateboarding instead. That’s the impression I got after watching the first episode of “SK8 the Infinity,” the action/adventure, skateboarding-based anime that was released on Funimation on Jan. 11, 2021. As one of the first new anime series to be released so far this year, I can definitely say that 2021 is getting off to a good start. However, sorry to you exclusive English dub watchers, at this moment, there is only an English sub available. But, based on the popularity that I imagine this series is soon going to be faced with, a dubbed version will surely be in production soon.

The story takes place in Okinawa, Japan, and follows Reki Ryan, a second-year high school student. He frequents “S,” an underground skateboarding course where only those who are invited can race the difficult track. Reki meets Langa Hasegawa, a new foreign student from Canada, and ropes him into getting interested in skateboarding. Going back to the “Haikyuu!!” comparison, Reki and Langa’s interactions remind me of Hinata and Kageyama’s. They both have that loud friend-quiet friend dynamic going on, Reki being the loud one like Hinata and Langa being the quieter one like Kageyama. Before being published as an animated series, it was written as a manga by Ichirō Ōkouchi, who is well known for his work on the script for “Code Geass.” The animated series is directed by Hiroko Itsumi, who also directed other popular series such as “Free!” and “Banana Fish.” You can tell that this anime is being created by people with experience. The art style for this anime is

very captivating; the attention to the small details is absolutely amazing. I don’t have much background information about “SK8 the Infinity” because I haven’t read the manga, but I have enjoyed the start of the story that the pilot episode gives the viewers. Though only the first episode has come out, it seems to be a pretty solid series. I don’t have any major complaints or issues with the first episode, definitely not one big enough to make me disinterested in continuing to watch it.

While I can’t say that I’m a fan of real-life sports, I can say that I enjoy watching sports anime. After watching other series from the same genre like “Haikyuu!!,” “Yuri!!! On Ice” and “Free!,” I can tell that I am also going to enjoy this series. It seems that episodes are going to be released on Funimation every Saturday at 1:30 p.m. EST. You can watch it on the website for free with ads or by purchasing a monthly Funimation subscription starting at $5.99. I can say that I’ll for sure be tuning in each Saturday to continue to follow the adventures of Reki and the others.

Photo courtesy of TV Asahi

Nothing Under the Sun

The truth about worldy pleasures

BY AARON WHARTON Guest Contributor

During my time in high school, I was “that guy.” The guy who tried to fit in with everyone and do everything. If it was considered “cool,” I wanted to be a part of it. I began to realize that I had this weird feeling. It was as if I knew something was missing from my life and I was grasping for anything to fill it. I thought that I could use earthly things such as porn, people-pleasing, and manipulating others to fill a spiritual void and cover up my pain. Oh, how I was incredibly wrong and confused.

I didn’t realize what it meant to have a relationship with Jesus Christ until I came to college. God sent his one and only son, Jesus, to Earth to become fully God and fully man. He lived a perfect life, never having sinned, and was then nailed to a cross to hang there and die for all of humanity. If you ever need proof that God truly loves and cares for us, this is it. The creator of the universe sent his only son to die for our wrong-doings and screw-ups. The Christian Bible states in Romans 5:8 (NIV), “But God proves his own love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We do not deserve the forgiveness and mercy that Christ has given us, yet we have it anyway. That is the point of grace in a nutshell. It is something that we do not deserve, yet someone gives it to us regardless.

Remember those earthly things I was talking about? The book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible is one that I would recommend to any young adult. Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 (NIV) states, “So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me. All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles. When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.” The writer of this book realized that all of the worldly pleasures he was chasing were pointless and futile. He recognized that they would never be able to fill the void in his life he was trying to complete. There is only one that can accomplish this, Jesus Christ. He is the one we were made for.

Photo by Chloe Istre