The Anchor: February 17, 2021

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Ruth Holloway and Claire Buck, Editors-in-Chief

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Sarah O’Neil, Staff Writer

Claire Dwyer, Staff Writer

Early last year, I got really into dog sledding. I don’t remember how it happened, but I soon after found myself on mushing Twitter, trying to figure out how one goes about getting involved in the sport. For those of you who are similarly interested, perhaps the best way to pursue your dream is to apply for admission at one of Norway’s eighty folk high schools, or “folkehøgskole.” Holding to a philosophy that learning increases in the absence of homework and grades, each folk high school has a different specialty and offers courses, or “lines,” in a number of activities, the majority of which have to do with wilderness survival or outdoor living, including—yes— dog sledding.

You might wonder why I know so much about folkehøgskole. It’s kind of a funny story, actually. In the fall, I applied to eleven Ph.D. programs, many of which have given me negative responses. After talking a lot about “taking to the woods” and “living off the grid in a remote fishing village,” I sent in my application to Alta Folkehøgskole, which lies north of the Arctic Circle. Less than twenty-four hours later, I interviewed with the school’s rector, and as of this morning, I am an admitted student. Much thanks is due to Claire for encouraging me to pursue this seeming pipe dream and then serving as my hype man/ professional reference.

Of course, I don’t anticipate that I’ll still go to wilderness school in Norway should I be accepted into a funded Ph.D. program, but there’s a large part of me that yearns to go. My whole life, I’ve been hyper-fixated on my studies and what I can achieve at

school. Just this once, I want to do something that’s unexpected and fun; to immerse myself in another culture, live intentionally, and work with my hands.

Maybe you’re experiencing a similar kind of yearning (or panic): you’re twenty-one or twenty-two and have just realized that May marks the boundary between college and “the rest of your life”— and maybe you’re not all that excited about it. On the other hand, some people are absolutely jazzed to have a job, get married, and settle down. That’s great. But for those of you who don’t fit into that category, believe me, I get it. After all, I’m on the verge of moving to Norway to raise huskies.

It’s okay not to know what’s next! Just because you didn’t “discern your vocation” during your first-year seminar doesn’t mean that you’re directionless. And even if you have no idea what’s going on and the future looks like a scary place to be, don’t ever think that your indecision marks you for failure—you’ve got the rest of your life to figure it out.

Claire

Like Ruth, I’m always very much on the verge of running away into the woods. Ever since I read “My Side of the Mountain” as a kid, I’ve fantasized about hollowing out my own little tree and taking up residence among the raccoons. Despite my thorough lack of survival skills, sense of direction, and ability to thermoregulate when the temperature drops below sixty degrees, the temptation persists to abandon my medical school dreams and hide from the federal debt collectors in an off-the-grid forest hovel.

Recently, the desire to flee civilization grew extra strong when I had my annual I’ll-neverbecome-a-doctor-because-I’mnot-smart-enough-at-chemistry freakout. I was preparing for an exam in organic chemistry, and the material just wasn’t making sense. After hours of poring over practice problems and scratching out dozens of little molecules on scrap paper, I started to wonder whether I could even pass the class. When I got my exam grade over the weekend, it didn’t do much to lift my spirits. I’d passed, sure, but not by the margin I was hoping.

At the end of the test, my chemistry professor had included a space where we could let her know how we were doing. Two minutes from the end of the exam,

convinced I was about to fail, all I managed to scribble out was that the second semester of organic already had me pretty overwhelmed. When I got the test back Monday morning, she had responded with a word of encouragement and a reminder that “everything in February seems hard.”

She’s right, of course. When I’m slipping through slush on my way to lecture beneath a sheet of gray clouds or scraping ice off my windshield ankle-deep in snow, the world feels more daunting than it really is. A fog of frustration hangs over everything. Still, in the midst of this wintry state and this bewildering subject, I’ve found so much beauty. I’m in love with the intricately-branched snowflakes that cling to my mittens and the frost that spiders across my windshield. I’m delighted by the complexity of organic molecules and the way we can trace the dance of their interactions down to the very electrons. As hard and long and miserable as this month may seem, see if you can make a little space for wonder in the midst of it. Maybe you’ll be surprised by the loveliness you find.

Love,

Ruth Holloway & Claire Buck Editors-in-ChiEf

Ruth

This could be me in just six short months. Also pictured: Hugh, Barney, Cheesy, Panic, Mary Jane, Ducky, Anna Karenina, and Marv.

You’re walking in the woods. There’s no one around and your phone is dead. Out of the corner of your eye, you spot her: Claire Buck.

CAMPUS&BEYOND

Light shed on sudden Kletz closure

Cameron Geddes Staff Writer

In a pandemic setting, timing and strategy are crucial. Public sporting arenas, living facilities, classrooms and places of business are all highrisk areas. But another prominent one is, of course, restaurants and dining areas. One case among staff could lead to dozens of potential close contacts becoming infected. Thus, when a Kletz Market worker contacted COVID-19, the Kletz closed from January 28 through the afternoon of February 2. This was in response to an employee’s reporting they had developed symptoms of COVID-19. The Anchor spoke with Bob Van Heukelom, the Director of Hospitality Operations for Creative Dining Services at Hope College, regarding the situation. His reply is listed below with minor edits for clarification, so as to best preserve the intent and delivery of his response.

Q&A

The Anchor: “Could you briefly summarize what occurred that caused the Kletz Market to be temporarily closed? According to an email from Campus Health, it was due to COVID-19 protocol.”

Mr. Van Heukelom: “We did have one employee who was feeling

poorly at work and was sent home. This person did later test positive but is feeling much better now.”

The Anchor: “On what day did the Kletz reopen? What were the policies and procedures enacted during the time it was closed?”

Mr. Van Heukelom: “We reopened the Kletz Market on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 5 p.m. and have been open since. We have been observing operations closely and making continual adjustments as needed. Our Johns Hopkins University certified contact tracing team identified employees considered to be close contacts, and they were quarantined. Out of an abundance of caution, it was decided to close the Kletz Market and follow through on our CDS-established protocol calling for complete sanitization of the entire Kletz Market. While the Kletz Market was closed, we took that time to analyze our current practices and make any necessary adjustments to reduce the risk of close contact. As a result of our analysis, we are moving the cashier stations and a food warmer to allow staff to spread out further and create space between them. We are still evaluating how we might reconfigure work stations and equipment for this purpose.”

Final Tips

Mr. Van Heukelom also had a number of other important notes regarding Kletz Market operations. “We are always refining our practices as we learn more about COVID-19 and how to operate more efficiently and safely. This includes student dining areas. We are using this situation at the Kletz Market to look at both Cook Hall and Phelps Hall through our lens of this new experience. Although this analysis was very affirming of our methods and practices, we did find a couple of areas where we could make improvements, which we did, right away,” said Van Heukelom.

“We have scaled back on the menu somewhat to reduce the number of employees needed to operate the Kletz Market for the time being. Students are following their normal traffic patterns and are utilizing the Kletz as before for Grab & Go, in-person service and using the GET mobile App for contactless order and pick-up. One way students can help us keep themselves and our staff safe is to download the GET Mobile App, which will allow them to order ahead for contactless pickup at the Kletz Market a short time later! All dining-dollar purchases, including through the GET App, qualify for a 10% discount on menu prices.”

Mr. Van Heukelom continued: “another area where students can help keep themselves and our staff safe is by respecting the space of others, including those that they are dining with, when standing in line to get their food and also when they sit in the dining room. The seating arrangement in the dining halls has been approved by our local health department. It is important that students not move chairs or tables from their approved positions. Our hope is that our population will stay healthy, which builds confidence in our relationship with our local health department. As long as we can prove that we can operate safely, the more freedom we may be given within the interpretation of the MDHHS mandates. We are asking students to partner with us to keep everyone safe and to increase the probability that mandated restrictions may be lifted. We can do this together!”

It is important to note that while Kletz was closed briefly, there was no reduction in pay for employees, as they were compensated for time lost. Additionally, students who might otherwise have gone hungry or struggled to get food at reasonable hours during the closure were able to pay $6 for a full meal under extended dining hours at Phelps. This was part of the “More Time to Dine” program.

The Anchor appreciates the quick and thorough feedback from Creative Dining Services regarding the temporary closure of Kletz Market, as well as their swift action to implement changes to further reduce possible spread of COVID-19.

Cameron

Geddes

CLOSURE — The Kletz Market was closed from January 28 to the afternoon of February 2, for the safety of staff and students.

Prism supports LGBTQ+ students on campus

Aubrey Brolsma Staff Writer

As the world moves further into the twenty-first century, the LGBTQ+ community is similarly furthering the fight for their rights. Many students on campus would agree that Hope College has had its own tumultuous history with LGBTQ+ rights. Written in 2011 and promoted by Hope up until it was repealed in the summer of 2019, the “Hope College Position Statement on Human Sexuality’’ kept any LGBTQ+ support groups or clubs from being officially recognized or funded by the college. It dictated that “Hope College will not recognize or support campus groups whose aim by statement, practice or intimation is to promote a vision of human sexuality that is contrary to this understanding of biblical teaching.” After its repeal, students started working to create safe places for queer students on campus. One group that has risen from these efforts is Prism, which aims to empower LGBTQ+ students. Prism officially joined campus life with their “Coming Out Party’’ last spring.

The Anchor sat down with Miguel Castelan Hernandez (he/ him, ’23), treasurer of Prism, to learn more about the group and how it is taking action on campus. According to Castelan Hernandez, “Prism’s goal is to support and empower the queer community on Hope’s campus.” The group has several general member meetings and events planned throughout this semester. One event that will interest LGBTQ+ students and allies is the National Day of Silence on April 12. Prism hasn’t solidified their plans, but Castelon Hernandez said “we want to have a day where we stay silent throughout the whole school day to call attention toward discrimination of queer people. Then the next day, we want to break the silence by having a poetry day to raise the voices of queer people.”

In recent history the fight for LGBTQ+ rights has come to the forefront. It was only on June 6, 2015, that Obergefell v. Hodges, a landmark Supreme Court case, made same-sex marriage legal in the United States and offered queer Americans protections under the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. Despite being only six

years ago, this decision was split 5-4 with the plaintiffs barely winning, showing just how contentious the climate around LGBTQ+ rights was and still is. Similar decisions are still being made as the fight continues. According to NBC, on December 14, 2020, a case from Indiana sought to restrict same-sex couples from being listed on the birth certificates of their children. To the relief of the LGBTQ+ community, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case, supporting a lower court’s decision that it would be discriminatory to not name both parents on the birth certificate.

There was also a recent loss for LGBTQ+ families, as reported by CNBC, on November 4, 2020, when the Supreme Court in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia decided that foster agencies could refuse to place foster children in the care of LGBTQ+ couples by citing the Establishment and religious Free Exercise clauses of the First Amendmnt. Cases like these, while not necessarily affecting students, show that the overall LGBTQ+ community still has ground to cover in the U.S.

Though it is a relatively new club on campus, it is clear that a LGBTQ+ group like Prism was desired by many. In 2018 an anonymous group of students created 95 Stories, a website with 95 accounts of racism and homophobia on Hope’s campus. Like Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, these stories were meant to inspire change and show just how many students were affected by pervasive issues like racism and homophobia

on campus. Of these, 40 stories relay LGBTQ+ discrimination on campus. The stories recount tales of overheard conversations, classroom horror stories, lost friendships, residential life rejection and more. Although every story is anonymous to protect the identity of the student who submitted it, the stories give evidence of discrimination and emphasize the need for groups like Prism who are taking action. Castelan Hernandez explained, “I personally feel like there is a fair amount of discrimination on campus. Most of the time, it is interpersonal, where other students disregard who we are and treat us with disrespect, but there are also times when these come from faculty in the way of misgendering students, deadnaming and disregarding our identities as queer.” A large part of Prism’s initiatives focus on education. Castelan Hernandez said, “Prism is working to end discrimination by working on educating Hope’s campus. We do this through panels, presentations and hopefully this semester, with the help of Out on the Lakeshore, we can do allyship training for Hope’s faculty.” Prism will soon celebrate its first birthday, and for LGBTQ+ students and allies on campus, their presence is a relief that provides connection and support. If any student wants to become involved with Prism queer or ally — they will be at the Center for Diversity and Inclusion Keppel House from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday nights, or they can be reached at their email, prism@hope.edu, or their Instagram, @hopecollegeprism.

Katie Moran

PRISM-- Readers can find Prism on instagram (@hopecollegeprism), on Hope’s Student Organizations page and by email (prism@hope.edu).

CAMPUS&BEYOND

Alumna feature: Hope College graduate impacts local policy

Claire Dwyer Staff Writer

When Lucy Gruber graduated from Hope College, the last thing she expected was to be working as an alderman less than a year later. Gruber, who graduated with a major in political science and a minor in communications went back to her hometown to work remotely when the St. Charles, IL third ward alderman’s seat became available by appointment. “I was kind of just joking around with my parents and my brothers, like ‘Oh we’re in the 3rd ward, should I do this?’ and they were like, ‘Sure, why not?’ So I just put my name in the hat and interviewed for it, and I ended up being appointed. So it was never my intention, but I’m just super thankful for the opportunity, ” Gruber said. As an alderman, Gruber participates in weekly city committee meetings, which help pass ordinances, dealing with zoning regulations and more, along with responding to residents in the third ward and helping them connect with the resources they need.

Hope was a natural choice for Gruber, who appreciated the opportunity to grow in her faith and her learning simultaneously. “I think I really ended up choosing Hope because for one I went to public school all my life, and I loved my high school, middle, and elementary school experience, but my faith was really important to me, and growing up in a public high school I didn’t have as many peers or friends that I went to school with that were also a part of the Chrisitan faith community,” Gruber said. “I also just loved learning, and I really want to pride myself in being a lifelong learner. So I think that the fact that Hope would offer so much mentorship in the professors and smaller class sizes that really encouraged good discussions and conversations was important”

Her interest in politics also grew over time, but her professors in the political science department really helped foster her interest and curiosity in the subject. “I decided to study political science because I loved studying the way different people interact and the way the whole world is kind of interconnected,” she said. “I never had a goal of being in politics or anything like that, but I really care about people, and I care about what other people care about.” Specifically,

local politics struck a chord with her: “I’m a really community-focused person, and I think that’s a big part about local politics that I like. I think community really matters, and I think that you can make a big difference in local communities,”

In the political science department, Gruber found mentorship that helped her learn to see the world from different perspectives. Her mentor, Dr. Virginia Beard, helped instill values she still carries to this day: “I was so impressed with her faith, and just the way that she viewed the world, and how she fostered this just incredible need for questioning. She pushed me to view the world and ask questions about how I view the world and never pushed things down anyone’s throat or forced opinions or anything like that, but she really just taught me the beauty and privilege of education, and that is something I will always take with me.” Additionally, a semester abroad in Tanzania helped cultivate her global perspective and see global issues in a new light. Her research while studying in Tanzania on economic development also helped open new doors for her to understand how global politics impacts local communities.

As an alderman, Gruber hopes to be an advocate for younger people within her community and believes that her perspective as a young adult helps her serve her city in a unique way: “Over 55% of young people in their twenties, right out of college, are moving back home; that’s more than ever before. Partly because of the pandemic, partly because of student loans, so many more young adults are moving back to their hometowns and aren’t in big cities, or they’re working from home. So, as I said in my interview, I think I can really offer a perspective that could be of value.” Additionally, Gruber sees the younger generation as being involved in politics and their communities more than ever. “I think that even more so maybe in the past year or a couple of years, maybe because of social media, and just paired with what’s going on in the world, I think young people want to have a voice,” Gruber said. “They want to participate in things, and they want to educate themselves. They want to be a part of change and a part of the things that matter.”

This all of course stems from Gruber’s philosophy of being a lifelong learner, finding mentorship from other aldermen and finding common ground throughout a wide variety of perspectives: “I think there’s been a shift in some cities between old town and new town, young and old and whatever. I think there’s value in both perspectives, and I think there’s real beauty and grace and opportunity in taking life experiences and systems that work. That has brought a lot of good, but there are also new ideas and new ways of doing things and new perspectives, and we can’t flood them all at once and get rid of all of the old stuff at once. I think there can be a real opportunity to blend the two, and I think that just starts with conversation. I think we can all learn a lot from each other.”

Overall, Gruber hopes that younger generations will continue

to seek out ways to navigate the news and learn about how the world works.

“I think often young people get told that we’re ignorant or we don’t know anything or that we don’t understand anything. There’s a lot of information out there, and I get it can be confusing and overwhelming,” Gruber said.

“I’m just super passionate about helping people understand what is going on in the world and wanting to just pick a couple of things that you care about and to read up on that.” Furthermore, she hopes younger generations understand the importance of exercising the right to vote: “I think exercising your right to vote is a really awesome thing. We’re currently talking about that within my own city for local politics. We’re just really trying to engage people, and not everyone’s going to care, and not everyone is going to vote and that’s okay, but I think just giving people the opportunity and making it accessible.”

As she begins her career, Gruber continues to recognize the value of her time at Hope and the lessons learned there. “The education at Hope is such a privilege, and it brings so much value that I think you don’t realize until you leave,” she said. “So I would encourage people to take the time to just learn from your friends, your professors, your job on campus. I think learning can show up in a lot of different ways that maybe isn’t your typical sitting at a desk and learning in class. Learn the most you can while you’re there by the people around you. It can take you really far.”

116-year-old beats COVID-19

Carole Chee Staff Writer

A French nun, who holds the title of Europe’s oldest person, recovered from COVID-19 days before her 117th birthday. Lucille Randon, who took the name of Sister Andre when she joined a Catholic Charitable Order in 1944, tested positive for the virus on January 16. She remained asymptomatic during her entire isolation period at the Sainte Catherine Laboure nursing home in Toulon. “I didn’t even realize I had it,” she told French newspaper Var-Matin.

The deadly coronavirus, which killed 10 others at her nursing home, didn’t frighten Sister

Andre. “I wasn’t scared because I’m not scared of dying,” she said.

“It’s so inspirational,” said Liliana Olvera, a freshman who plans to major in psychology. “It’s crazy that I know people who have gotten more sick than her. The fact that someone who has lived for so long was asymptomatic says a lot about how she lives her life.”

St. Charles City Council Website

Anadolu Agency

Unseen: Racial violence towards Asian Americans due to COVID-19

Carole Chee Staff Writer

A shocking video taken in Oakland, California’s Chinatown, showing a 91-year-old man shoved face-first into the sidewalk, has been widely circulated over the past few weeks. This attack has left the community on high alert during a time when anti-Asian hate crimes are on the rise. Other attacks, too, such as one that led to the death of the 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee in San Francisco, have reinvigorated the outrage and hurt that Asian communities felt at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. “When President Trump began and insisted on using the term ‘China virus,’ we saw that hate speech really led to hate violence,” said Russell Jeung, chair of the Asian American studies department at San Francisco State University and one of the leaders of Stop AAPI Hate. “That sort of political rhetoric and that sort of anti-Asian climate has continued to this day.”

“When I first saw the video [of the man being attacked in Oakland], I was just sad,” said Alexis Koehl, ('23) vice president of Hope College’s Asian Student Union. “It was very upsetting to see and disappointing since they have been happening

since the beginning of the pandemic especially when the people targeted are the communities’ elderly.”

“This may be the first time you are hearing about this violence if you are not following Asian American news because the mainstream media does not spotlight our stories,” said civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen. “Racism kills.” NYPD data showed in September that there has been a 1,900 percent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in New York City in the past year— there were 20 incidents in the first half of 2020 alone, compared to one in the entirety of 2019.

in Asian cultures, it’s nailed into your head that your voice doesn’t matter and that you have to conform. But this needs to change and we need to inspire more people to speak out, not just in the food industry, but in the fashion industry, and in tech as well.”

What can Hope students do to help? “We can spread awareness to break the silence surrounding the racism towards the Asian community,” said Koehl. “We also need to educate ourselves and recognize the need for solidarity and allyship.” People.com

In response to this worrying spike, a widespread effort called #EnoughisEnough in New York City has formed, led by a group of prominent New York City AsianAmerican chefs and restaurant owners. The group focuses on donating meals to homeless centers, specifically ones located in areas such as Chinatown with large AsianAmerican populations, as well as areas like Harlem and the Bronx, which have African American and Latinx populations. “We want to empower people who feel like their opinions don’t matter,” said chef and owner of East Village Taiwanese restaurant 886 Eric Sze. “Sometimes

We stand with farmers: India’s ongoing workers’ rights movement explained

For more than two months, millions of farmers in India have braved the freezing rain on the outskirts of New Delhi. Blocked from further entering the city by large police barricades of barbed wire and trenches, the farmers have set up camp in protest against the new farming

laws passed last September. These three farm acts include The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, which expands areas in which farmers can trade, allows electronic trading of scheduled produce and prohibits state governments from levying farmers, traders and electronic trading platforms conducted “in an outside area.” The Farmers

(Empowerment and Protection)

Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act provides a legal framework for farmers to enter into pre-arranged contracts with buyers, including mention of pricing, and defines a dispute resolution mechanism. Lastly, the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act removes things such as cereals, potatoes and onions from the list of “essential commodities,” which means the government cannot regulate these items except in emergencies, and states that the government can regulate stock limits on agricultural produce only in cases of steep price rises. Essentially, these laws initiated by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi completely dismantle the previous committee structure, instead allowing farmers to sell their goods to anyone for any price.

While the government claims these new measures will modernize India’s agricultural industry, the farmers say

they will devastate their livelihoods by allowing big companies to drive down prices. The farmers could sell their crops at higher prices, but without enough demand, they could struggle to even meet the minimum price.

The crowded demonstrations, which began in November, saw thousands of farmers chanting “Inquilab Zindabad” "Long live the revolution” as they marched on foot and drove in tractors and trucks toward New Delhi. Thousands marched from other nearby states to the city where, according to CNN, violence soon erupted, with police firing tear gas and water cannons to stop rotestors from entering the capital. Demonstrations continued through December and into the new year, with protestors pitching tents and huddling under trucks. “Our land is our mother,” said 67-year-old Dharam Singh Sandhu. “If we can’t protect it then we have no right to live.”

Alexis Koehl (’23) serves as vice president of the Asian Student Union.

Carole Chee Staff Writer

Writing your novel is just one quarantine away

Katy Smith Arts Editor

When the Hope College student body was sent home in March, it felt like the screws keeping me in place were suddenly bouncing on the floor. In some respects, I felt some semblance of relief. That quickly crumbled into a creative crisis. As a Type A person, I thrive on having schedules. I do not take well to having nothing to do.

When the semester came to a close in April, I had nothing lined up. I had no clue what I would fill my time with for the (un)foreseeable future. That was when I got a miraculous Instagram DM. It was my high school friend Sam, who is hands down the most creative writer I’ve ever met.

He innocently suggested that during this quarantine from Hell, we banded together to be one another’s accountability partner. If you’ve ever taken a creative writing class at Hope, you know the importance of a writing habit. For those who are unaware, a writing habit is exactly what it sounds like: a daily consistency in writing anything. It doesn’t have to be perfect, polished or special. It just has to be.

So I thought sure, how fun! I dug through my archives and found a science-fiction idea I came up with in eighth grade. It was the tale of a woman named Kaura, a pirate who spent her days traveling between dimensions and adventuring (at the time, I was going through a bit of a “One Piece” phase, so you can imagine where I derived my inspiration from).

From there, I told Sam that my promise was to “release” a chapter on Wednesdays and Sundays every week. An important thing to note here is I detached my perfectionism from the project entirely. Chapters could be anywhere from 1,000 to 3,500 words, and I only ever edited enough to get rid of the wretched red squiggly lines. A first draft is a first draft, no overanalyzing or hard revision needed. Any and all ideas are game.

I’ve been writing stories my whole life. I always tell my writer friends that I am an expert at the beginning. Establishing

personalities, relationships and building the world all felt so simple. By some miraculous long running strain of determination, I got to the story’s climax— the first and only climax I have ever written— at the end of July and ultimately finished the draft on August 20, 2020.

I might sound hypocritical when I say no one was expected to sit down and write a novel or record an album during quarantine summer. But, that’s not to say that it isn’t possible, given the right headspace.

I am so proud of “Kaura” and the journey I had to go through to create it. It wasn’t all happy-golucky exploration and childhood wish fulfillment. There were many Tuesday and Saturday nights I spent pacing around the yard trying to make myself write. Idea block, lack of motivation and insecurity were definitely roadblocks that jumped into my path over and over again.

Throughout our summer-break-

long winter break two months ago, I attempted to begin writing the second draft of “Kaura.” I only got seven chapters in and was faced with all the roadblocks from before, and then some.

It’s not easy to start and finish a large, long-term creative project like the first draft of “Kaura.” I know I’ll have to make 10, 20, 1,000 drafts and rewrites before it gets to where it needs to be. But if you put your mind to it and have supportive friends to keep you accountable along the way, maybe attacking that creative project you’ve had shelved for years is actually possible.

Because I can assure you, it is. Not to be all, “Maybe it wasn’t the book I wrote, but the friends I made along the way,” on you faithful readers, but sometimes the moral is that simple. Either way, start a writing habit. Support your other writer friends. Force each other to write. You might end up with something pretty cool.

Sarah Stevenson

Katy Smith

The time on our hands

Eli Maxwell Opinion Editor

An interesting trend I noticed in the early days of COVID-19 life in America (March of 2020) was an emphasis on how to use your time. Some were preaching that “we should be using this time to be productive. [Insert author here] wrote their literary masterpiece in social isolation.” I was being told that this lockdown was God’s sign that I should finally tackle that project I’ve been avoiding or finally start getting in shape, that the pandemic is truly a blessing in disguise since we have so much more free time… right?

Another, more quiet side of the media I was consuming was telling me the opposite: take this time to do some self-care and self-reflection. Practice mindfulness meditations, journal about how you’re feeling and when this is all over, your spirit will be healthier because of it.

Neither of these groups, however, considered that we would still be in this mess in February of 2021 and for a good chunk of the foreseeable future. I don’t know about you, but I maxed out my productivity and my rigor for self-care pretty soon after classes were transitioned to a completely online format. I couldn’t bear the thought of doing something productive outside of schoolwork, and being in the moment (the moment being living through a pandemic in the middle of Indiana) wasn’t all that appealing. I was left with one question: What am I supposed to be doing? I can’t see my friends—or most of my family, for that matter—I can’t loiter in Barnes & Noble, and I can’t go on some Don Draper-esque selfdiscovery journey to the West Coast because the CDC “knows what’s good for me,” so what gives?

What did I end up doing? I read “The Lord of the Rings.” It was fun. I somehow hadn’t seen the movies before, so I decided to read the books before watching Viggo Mortensen kill orcs for ten hours. I enjoyed my time in Middle Earth. They may have been facing potential destruction from Sauron, but at least Sauron wasn’t contagious by droplets and Frodo wasn’t wearing a mask to Mount Doom.

Then I ended up resuming my reading of Kurt Vonnegut. Then I moved on to “The Handmaid’s Tale,” then “Homegoing,” then “Dune” and

then I had completely lost myself in the sheer number of books I was burning through. I found myself committed to a fourteen-book epic fantasy series (currently grinding away at book six) and reading Stephen King, who has published, no exaggeration, every book ever.

As comedian John Mulaney would put it, “That was the beginning of a new relationship with time.” I found hours moving like molasses but weeks speeding by without my notice. The four hours I spent trying to make a dent in a 1,300 page Brandon Sanderson book felt like an eternity, but when I finished the book a week later, it was as if I had just opened it up for the first time.

Then, before I could tell what was going on, it was summertime, and I had to go to work. Working gave me the semblance of normalcy and scheduling, but when every weekday is as busy as every weekend, time can still feel muddled. I went on runs to know what half an hour felt like, just to remind myself that time isn’t what’s insane, it’s me.

And now we’re here, in February of 2021. Where did all the time go? It’s been almost a year of this “new normal,” and still none of us know what to do with time that would normally go to, well, being well-adjusted people. When the homework is done, no SNL sketches look funny anymore and the thought of doing anything that isn’t absolutely required seems completely overwhelming, what do we do? There are people telling us how to use our time—either be productive or do some self exploration—but it’s not that simple. I used most of my free time reading, which doesn’t really fall into either of those categories. I ran, which is kind of productive, and I worked, which is financially productive but not very personally fulfilling. Other than that, I spent my time wondering how to spend my time and panicking that I was using it unwisely, especially when it felt like it was moving at incredible speeds (fast or slow).

My message to you: spend your free time however you want. I know, super helpful, but hear me out. We are constantly told how to use our time, but if we don’t want to do the things we fill our free time with, we will live unhappy, unfulfilling

lives. If you want to use your free hour to go work out, do that. If you’d rather sit and read a book, go for it (I would recommend “The Lord of the Rings” or anything by Vonnegut). If you are dying to be in this moment and practice some mindfulness meditation, open up Headspace and count those breaths. Take care of yourself. Listen to what your gut is telling you and not your friend from high school who is in a pyramid scheme now. Seriously, how do we all know people from high school in pyramid schemes? I thought we were smarter than this. Everything I’ve said here has been said before. I am not claiming to be a revolutionary thinker, but I have one more piece of advice that may be unsolicited, but that I have found valuable: your mental health and the

Sarah Stevenson

way you spend your time— which are inextricably linked— are not only important in their relationship to your productivity. I do not believe that people should take time to do self-care so that their work time is more productive; rather, I think they should engage in self-care because it is important for being a whole person. If meditating freaks you out, don’t do it. If reading is grueling for you, don’t worry about it. Sit and think about something you truly want to do, then do it. Be safe, mask up and love the people around you.

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The realness of music: Impact beyond a catchy tune

Abria Franklin Guest Writer

I don’t think the world around us pays enough attention to music. Music, if executed the “right way” (I use this term lightly) can carry you in a poetic dissertation. It invites you to compose a familiar yet unfamiliar movie in your head or allows you to paintbrush mental memories to external masterpieces.

In essence, music has the uncanny ability to connect you to everything you view and deem as art. It evokes every sense and enhances every emotion. More importantly, it connects you to a culture you didn’t know you belonged in.

For as long as I can recall, I have been tied to the art of music. I remember middle-school-me taking on out-of-range and unequipped solos in front of the small congregation of my baptist church. Or writing a list of a “Cat in the Hat” type rhyme words to use for the amateur songs I would perform with a broomstick and dimmed lights.

I distinctly remember learning two chords on the piano and feeling like Alica Keys. I fell in love with music, hard. And it wasn’t the singing part that could satisfy me anymore. I began to take interest in how beats are made, how to play instruments, how to write better lyrics. Today I will be talking about the process of creating music, the personal journey music takes us through, and its remarkable ability to synchronize universal societies.

I believe music is one of the most underrated popular creations. It’s an enjoyable asset; it sets the tone in social settings and keeps up an intended mood. However, underneath the surface of these songs are complex and individually

styled techniques that distinguish each one from the next. The creation of music contains at least three major components: the instruments or beat being used, the writing of lyrics, and mixing and mastering. Just a single fine-tune during any of these stages can create a completely different and unique sound.

The instrumental carries a steady and energizing drive throughout the song. Whether strings such as guitar or violin are chosen to give a light and intimate feeling or heavy beat pads are used to give a more hardened tone, the crafted selection of instruments sets the color of a song or determines the story’s setting.

To me, the instrumental is just as important as the words. They determine exactly how you are visualizing this specific piece in your head. Don’t underestimate the power of an instrumental, as they are the ones who stage the lyrics and lead the trajectory of the entire song.

Next, you have the lyrics of the song or the plot of your story. Artists often find themselves writing memoirs of what they have experienced or witnessed in their current life. A lyricist’s ability to fit such momentous and emotional events into three ungenerous minutes is truly remarkable. At this stage, we witness the vulnerability of an artist. The privilege of their allowing us to enter the doors of their inner thoughts and insecurities is both admirable and valiant.

Often when writing songs I find myself writing primarily because I’m trying to unravel the tangled thoughts that are scattered in my head. I am trying to physically define the emotion I am feeling.

This adds to why music is a cathartic relief for many, including listeners. Some artists take you on a passage of written thoughts, and as they try to navigate whatever it is they are searching for, so are you. To me, lyrics are the holistic healers. They make sure you aren’t cluttering your mind but instead confronting it. Through lyrics, we are subconsciously reaching restoration and emotional balance.

Last but not least are the mixing and mastering, or finishing touches, of your art piece. This can be adding layered harmonies or adlibs, checking your levels or taking away certain elements that don’t please you, to give examples. Similar to writing, this is where you ensure your song flows and is not segmented; here, artists undergo the red-inked revision stage, correcting any last mistakes before its lamination. Mixing and mastering is where you turn your personal story into a universal story. One where every person can understand without receiving background information or recalled knowledge. Now this is an exceptionally condensed version of how songs are created, as they

are often sparked by inspiration and heavy patience, as art generally is. Now listen to your favorite song or one you admire. If you can’t think of one try “Good Days” by SZA. Close your eyes and bring your senses to attention and observation. Take notice of how the instruments creep in the beginning and gradually rise to a climax and then a down point. Notice the areas where the music drops, tone shifts or rhythm changes. Why do you think this was done at this specific moment? Pay heed to the lyrics in the song and consider what story the artist is trying to create. Commend their use of imagery, play on words, or other rhetorical devices they rilliantly performed. Individualize the song to your emotions and/or experiences. How does the song make you feel? Some people listen to music just to pass time or ease an ongoing environment; however, you can only fully understand the true art of music once you sit down and examine it as you do with poems, writings or art. I always ponder the unfathomable question: Can you live without music? I am intrigued at how hesitant I am to still give a clear response.

Abria Franklin (Hope ‘22) at the Day N Vegas Vegas hip hop festival.

Artist SZA as featured in the “Good Days” lyric video.

Abria Franklin fahmeedx

Featured student poetry: A Poem for Black History Month

Taylor Calloway Guest Writer

We were torn from each other like paper masks not knowing they launched us into new beginnings, black depth, how did we become so complex?

Adorned with the same faces, hair types and skin, But our language,

culture and traditions differ

Even across continents we are connected like kin

From countries we consider our mothers arms, Extended across this sphere, settled in variety, From the vast cityscapes to small hidden farms, We are afro carribean, ancestry settled on islands, forced to cultivate cane till they rose up in arms, Other nations followed, hearing of such rebellion, see we’ve been fighting for a while, somebody please tell them, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana

Saint Vincent, Saint Lucia, Belize and Grenada, Walking towards our other tribes, cause we’ve been strewn across continents, Travel up towards the center, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica to Brazil where my afro-latinos speak sweet words covering the mountains, valleys, and hills

Though the scars exist on the surface, we have deep ancestry, allow me to introduce you to African identity, We all came from one sweet mother, she can provide the world with everything, she’s truly like no other They say “The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people” what happens when the people were subjected to evil,

But nations rise and built their own sequel

Our deepest secrets are richer than the skin we are in Our differences do not make us less than, far from God’s grace, nor are we embodiments of sin And the words we speak run farther than the mountain tops we journeyed from We walk in the footsteps of ancestors, creating paths where roads should never exist; Extending from the shadows of bondage, we are bigger than those ships we were tarried from.

Bigger than the shackles of old, we wear as tattoos of new:

We are black history.

For this we know to be true.

Continued from page 10

One way I can explain living without music is by comparing it to that of a caged bird, the anticipation of searching for what’s unknown only to find yourself trapped in your own cage or your own mind. Through music, sometimes we don’t realize we are seeking some aspect of who we are. We are trying to give internal and unexplainable thoughts external and concrete existence. Similar to other forms of art, music can take your mind through a critical stage of processing and eventually

healing. If music came to an end, I don’t believe I would ever be able to truly heal. Without both writing and listening to this art, I wouldn’t be able to give the scary monsters under my bed a name. Or maybe I wouldn’t be brave enough to even try.

Not only does music acknowledge your state of being, it reminds you that you are not alone. As a society, we believe our problems are personalized or confined to our bodies. Music connects us to a multitude of people without our even realizing it. This is why

you and a roomful of others cry when you hear your friend sing “Jealous” by Labrinth, or when you go to a concert, your energy feels so in sync it begins to feel surreal.

Music reminds us that there’s another person who’s going through exactly what you are. It transfers the feeling of isolation to a sense of belonging or newfound normalization. Our culture is unknowingly built on the universal love of music. It is the one thing we don’t stir conflict over. Music by nature has the power to form

bridges where we believed fires resided. It touches our soul; makes us feel things and empathize with others in ways we originally would not have, and that’s the beauty of it.

Music is that one consistent confidant that understands all your emotions. It allows you to authentically express who you are or how you feel. It changes you and others around you. Music makes you feel things and only when you feel things are you able to heal them. So the next time, you’re listening to some good tunes... notice the art of it.

BLACK HISTORY AT HOPE — Seen at the entrance to Van Wylen Library

Sarah Stevenson

WTHS Radio: Details on the DJs at 89.9 Holland

Below is a sample of interviews with some of Hope College’s most passionate music fanatics. Each of the students below has an hourlong show on WTHS 89.9. These short features explore a little bit more about some of Hope’s very own radio personalities.

Frankie Kronewetter (’23)

Major: Communications, emphasis on film

Show: “Frankie’s Late Night Slice,” Thursdays at 10 p.m.

Dream WTHS Guest: Howard Stern

Kronewetter’s self-proclaimed “eclectic taste” shines through every Thursday night as listeners are treated to a new theme each week. These themes have ranged from “famous songs you didn’t know were covers” or “unexpected artist collaborations” to “female musicians you should know about.”

Kronewetter defines her music taste as having an emphasis on classic rock, spreading occasionally in the direction of punk, new wave or folk. The list of live concerts Kronewetter has attended is quite extensive; it includes The Who, Joan Jett, The Pretenders, Rush, Bruce Springsteen, Brit Floyd (five different times), Roger Waters,

Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks, Dead and Company, and live tributes to the late David Bowie and Prince.

The decision to join the WTHS crew was not a hard one for Kronewetter, who says that it served more as a replacement outlet for her after she had to leave both her vinyl collection that reached into the hundreds as well as her job at a record store at home when moving to college. “When I came here I was trying to find a good, creative outlet because I lost my job and my records, and I couldn’t bring that with me,” Kronewetter said. “The radio station was that new thing to dive into.”

Jacob VanderRoest (’21)

Major: Chemistry

Show: All About the Albums, Thursdays at 7 p.m.

(Some) Favorite Artists: Pink Floyd, A Tribe Called Quest, Simon and Garfunkel VanderRoest’s show, as its name makes clear, is focused entirely on artists’ albums. VanderRoest defines himself as a “major advocate for listening to albums rather than playlists or individual songs.” He says that his show is a way to share with the Hope audience that “the cohesiveness of a wellcrafted album is an absolute joy.”

VanderRoest’s show features guests who bring their own album

recommendations, including Hope’s very own President Scogin back in October. In between songs, VanderRoest discusses with guests the influence of this specific album on their life, dissecting the album’s impact and organization.

Jonah Wooley (’24)

Major: Psychology and Communication

Shows: “Party Starter,” Fridays at 8 p.m.; “Mako Morning Show,” Thursdays at 7 a.m.; “Scatterbrain,” Saturdays at 7 p.m.

Dream WTHS Guest: Rob Lowe

After realizing there was a niche in Hope’s radio content that needed filling, Wooley created his show, entitled “Party Starter,” as a way to get students “amped up and ready to have a good time on a Friday night.” Understanding that a Friday evening needs a constant stream of party anthems, Wooley tries to limit his talking on the show and focus on a musicforward format. “With my songs… the music never dies,” he says.

Other than hyping Hope up through the airwaves on a Friday night, Wooley hosts two other shows on WTHS. He spends Thursday mornings at the studio bright and early for the “Mako Morning Show,” where he and his occasional collaborator Emily Mann (’24) fill the hour-long talk show with “fun, weird conversations with good energy,” as he put it. The dialogue that takes place on the show named after Wooley’s nickname ranges from the “era of

TikTok music” and its impact on music culture to any other topic that the guest of the week feels fluent in.

The third show that Wooley is a part of is entitled “Scatterbrain,” after both Wooley’s broad taste in music and his ADHD. “I frequently genre hop — it’s very scatterbrained,” he said. This was Wooley’s first show on WTHS after he joined during his second week of being a Hope student. “Even when I was touring colleges, I wanted to be a radio DJ and have a show,” Wooley said.

Andrew Silagi (’24)

Major: Secondary English Education

Show: “Chameleonic,” Saturdays at 8 p.m.

Dream WTHS Guest: Sufjan Stevens

Similar to a chameleon in an ever-changing environment, Silagi’s music taste is anything but straightforward. “I try to find the cream of the crop from every genre,” he said. Silagi’s show occasionally hosts guests who discuss the music choices of the week that vary from indie, experimental, electronic or different fusions between multiple genres. He and the show’s guest go “back and forth between our different interests and different songs that we like.”

Silagi was brought to WTHS through both family and friends — his older brother had hosted WTHS shows in the past, and Jonah Wooley convinced Silagi that it was finally time to join the team. “I love music, and I love sharing music with other people, so [this show] is a great opportunity.”

Cont. on pg. 13

Molly Douma, Staff Writer

Sarah Stevenson

Sarah Stevenson

Claire Buck during her show on WTHS.

Evan Mulshine (’22)

Major: Computer Science, German

Shows: “You Probably Won’t Like This,” Mondays at 9 p.m; “New Music Show,” Sundays at 10 p.m.

Dream WTHS Guest: Zach Hill

(Some) Favorite Artists: Deerhoof, Hieroglyphics, Death Grips

If you’re looking to discover new genres of which you had no knowledge before, Mulshine’s “You Probably Won’t Like This” is the place to be. Mulshine’s taste in music is very hard to pin down. His list of interests includes experimental modern hip hop and early ’90s old school hip hop, noise rock, subgenres of experimental rock, jazz fusion and jazz funk, to name a few. The name of his show, while he sometimes worries that it “turns people off from listening in the first place,” is based off of his experience being repeatedly denied the aux cord by his friends in the car. This denial led to his increased desire to share his untraditional taste with the Hope community and explore new kinds of music himself.

Mulshine also takes part in two other WTHS shows, including the “New Music Show” on Sundays and a show run by Dre Solorzano called “Dre Doesn’t Swear for an Hour,” which is on the air every Sunday at 8 p.m.

Adam James Czeranko (’22)

Major: Computer Science, Mathematics, Psychology Show: “The Variety Show,” Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

(Some) Favorite Artists: Sufjan

Stevens, Julien Baker, Adele

Czeranko’s show brings its listeners on a tour of endless numbers of genres, including (but, of course, not limited to) pop, alternative, oldies, TV/movie music, video game music, french music, japanese music and more. A favorite genre doesn’t exist for Czeranko, whose show simply features whatever song he wants to play that day.

Wednesday nights on WTHS aren’t just a one man show, however. “I love having guests on my show who have never branched out from their favorite few genres,” Czeranko says. He enjoys hearing what these guests have to say about the wide array of sounds that he has to offer his listeners, stretching the boundaries of traditional genre categories in his own unique way.

Luke Elder (’21)

Major: Communication Show: “The Juke with Luke,” Sundays at 7 p.m.

Dream WTHS Guest: Mac DeMarco

A three-year veteran of WTHS, Elder has been sharing his passion for classic rock and indie music with the Hope community ever since he transferred in as a sophomore. He had considered joining the radiohost world at his previous university, saying that he just “never jumped on it.” The moment he got to Hope, he said, “I really want to do this. I’m not going to wait anymore.” Elder finished all of his required hours of shadowing in one week and started his show right away.

“The Juke” is a way for Elder to share new parts of well-known bands with his listeners. He often introduces songs by popular artists that listeners might be familiar with. He gives The Beatles as an example: “rather than playing ‘Let It Be,’ I’d play ‘Savoy Truffle.’” Elder often hosts his show solo but has featured guests in the past to both discuss music and occasionally play live music. His fondness for live music has been a challenge in the last year, as opportunities to attend live concerts have been virtually nonexistent due to COVID-19 restrictions. In past years, however, Elder attended concerts featuring AC/DC, Kiss, The Who, The Black Keys, Cage the Elephant, Modest Mouse, One Republic and Dead and Company — six separate times. His WTHS show has proved a great outlet for Elder’s enthusiasm for music, a way to share it with others. “I play stuff as much for my own enjoyment as much as to try and educate or interest other people,” he said. “It’s been a lot of fun. I love doing my show.”

Sarah Stevenson

“I love music, and I love sharing music with other people, so [this show] is a great opportunity.”

- Andrew Silagi

Violet-Rose Peschiera, Morgan Brown, and Adriana Barker visiting “Behind the Story”

SPORTS & WELLNESS

Spring semester sports: challenges and hopes

Spencer Turbin Staff Writer

The fall semester proved to be a unique challenge. Although the campus and culture of Hope College changed drastically, students and faculty preserved and maintained the Hope spirit. The majority of students returning for the 2021 spring semester have expressed excitement and gratitude as they return to campus for living and learning after an unexpectedly lengthy winter break. While the excitement and chaos of reuniting with friends and beginning classes resumes, one thing remains constant: the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With winter weather, consistent social distancing precautions and uncertainty, students are faced with the challenge of staying healthy and active.

Pandemic protocols have hindered sports and exercise abilities since the first stay-at-home order issued by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in mid-March. Fortunately, warm temperatures allowed for an outdoor transition to maintain operations. Across the state, dining, shopping and many activities were able to remain outdoors through the early fall months. However, the new year brought snow with it, making it less common to exercise outdoors and more difficult to facilitate sporting events. Coupled with the conservative nature of COVID-19 protocols by the state of Michigan, many students and Hope College sports teams are left with uncertainty in regards to competition and workouts.

Thankfully, indoor exercise opportunities are still available at Hope College, though exclusively for students and staff. The Dow Center is open with a range of exercise equipment and facilities, featuring a weight room, cardio room, fitness bikes, running track and basketball courts. Students and faculty can access the Dow by reserving a time slot ahead of time. This allows for limited attendance to ensure social distancing and safety. Similar to any other oncampus activity, masks must be worn throughout the workout.

Student athletes are also struggling to find their footing this upcoming season as plans and schedules are fluid and constantly changing. The continuation plans for Hope’s varsity sports teams are varied. One example of this is how the women’s basketball team is continuing with their season, already having captured two wins. The first was against Concordia Chicago, with a score of 97-30, and the second against Alma College with a score of 81-48. In this way, the Dutchmen started their 2021 season strong after a heartbreaking and abrupt end to their previous season due to COVID-19. The 2020 ending effectively halted their rolling winning streak and fantastic national championship chances.

However, not all Hope teams are experiencing a gratifying return to their season. In the Fall 2019 semester, Hope College

football enjoyed a successful season, including an appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Coach Peter Stuursma and his team were eager to continue this successful momentum this fall season. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the football team was forced to conduct limited practice and workouts. All games were postponed until a special spring season. However, the football team will no longer be participating in any games this spring and will instead focus on practicing and recovering for next fall. While many players expressed their disappointment and frustration in the decision, they are hoping for a strong return in the fall after a full year of practice and preparation.

Conversely, some traditionally outdoor sports have only experienced a slight change, such as cross country. Hope College cross country team junior Evan Bleitz describes aspects of winter running, an activity that seems exceptionally daunting to most.

“The snow and cold doesn’t bother us too much. We just layer up and keep going. Some days when the weather’s really bad, or we have speed workouts and the track is snowed over, then we’ll run inside.”

The pandemic has also restricted other aspects of cross country and indoor track such as the amounts of athletes allowed to attend competitions, masking policies, and

other social distancing standards. However, the real hindrance has been the mental toll on so many student-athletes. Bleitz and other athletes have been forced to reflect on the importance their sport provides them as individuals. Bleitz commented, “COVID has made me realize how much I rely and look forward to seeing everyone in and out of practice. I’ve been discouraged by it at times, but overall the team’s training and focus has been amazing to see.”

Though COVID-19 continues to change the face of sports and campus life at Hope, athletic excellence is still in high supply. Sophomores Nick Hoffman and Ana Tucker have been honored by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association as men’s and women’s Indoor Track athletes of the week for NCAA Division III. Earlier this week Hoffman broke a Hope Track and Field record at the GVSU Mike Lints Alumni Open after running a 4:12.57 in the indoor mile. Hoffman is the first male Hope athlete to be recognized for this award, while Tucker becomes the second female and the first to do so twice from Hope.

Despite all of the difficulties, wellness and athletics at Hope remain alive and well. Hope College is proving that winter weather and an ongoing pandemic are temporary roadblocks and not the end as students continue to keep hope.

Football: Hope College v. Alma College

Hope College Women’s Basketball

Hope College

Hope College

How you can help with COVID-19 wellness

Spencer Turbin Staff Writer

The pandemic has reshaped the way we define the term “essential.” As lockdowns began and infection rates rose, governments and businesses alike had to deem who was essential. Who would be continuing their work to maintain our society, and who would be out of work to avoid infection? The characterization of essential or non-essential became a distinct definition determining restrictions and the way individuals viewed their purpose. Unfortunately, this shaky dichotomy left many jobless, helpless and stuck with feelings of hopelessness.

For everyone - not just those left jobless - COVID-19 has widened long-standing disparities across socioeconomic and racial divides. Empirical data has illustrated that those of lower income and most ethnic minorities have suffered from higher COVID-19 infection and death rates than high-income or white individuals. These trends are often attributed to institutionalized racism and wide systemic issues with both health and human safety in the U.S., which are widespread and immensely detrimental problems that will take years of reform and legislation to solve.

Along with this reform, treating COVID-19 patients and developing a vaccine make up some of the largest tasks and challenges in ending the pandemic. While these tasks are of utmost importance, they are nearly impossible for the average person to do. Across the country, many struggle to stay at home while

watching healthcare workers risk their lives and work in debilitating conditions every day. However, finding ways to help across the country and at Hope College is easier than most think. And yes, it even includes sitting on the couch. Here are two great ways to help:

1. Mitigate the spread COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus that is impossible to completely stop, as with many other viral diseases. However, slowing its spread and preventing infections helps maintain public health and eases stress on the healthcare system. Everybody can easily accomplish this by following CDC and local government guidelines. This includes wearing a mask (or even two!), limiting social contact with others, consistently practicing hygiene and sanitation and not leaving the house. For Hope students, these guidelines can be particularly difficult to follow, since many of these guidelines do not mesh with a typical college life. However, Hope students can take unique steps to aid mitigation. This includes staying on campus within the “Hope bubble,” restricting spending time with a small group of people consistently (or living cohort), following campus guidelines and minimizing chances to create close contacts (less than 15 minutes with others). Combined, these factors can reduce the amount of COVID-19 cases on campus and maintain an in-person college experience, which is a rare opportunity in 2021.

2. Donation

While most acts of charity and kindness revolve around the contribution of money, a global health crisis requires a different type of resource. The pandemic has created large deficits in bioresources that are crucial for patient treatment and healthcare across all medical realms. One of these resources is blood. Donating blood is an easy and extremely effective process that can help a variety of patients. The public can donate blood at a wide variety of locations including local hospitals, American Red Cross locations and more. While many blood drives have been canceled due to the pandemic, Hope students can still donate at the American Red Cross location in Zeeland.

Though many aspects of the virus are continually being studied and even more unknowns exist, scientists and medical professionals are discovering new methods of treatment every day. One of these is using antibodies of people who have already been infected and recovered. These antibodies can be used in treatments on those who are currently infected with the virus. This can be done in a process very similar to donating blood. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently tweeted urging those to donate in the presence of this current shortage. Governor Whitmer said:

“The Red Cross is seeking people who are recovered from COVID-19

to help current patients with lifethreatening infections by donating plasma. If you’re fully recovered from a COVID-19 diagnosis please fill out a Potential Donor form.”

For Hope students and those living in Holland, blood plasma can be donated at Biolife Plasma Services in Grandville, Michigan. For most donations, Biolife will even provide financial compensation up to hundreds of dollars.

A new opportunity at Hope this semester is the Gift of Life Marrow Registry. This is a student-led effort to recruit and add students to the national marrow registry, a critical component to creating treatments for an array of cancers and disorders. Oftentimes the only available treatment for patients is either a bone marrow donation or, more frequently, a stem cell donation. Through a simple one minute process students, faculty and adults alike can swab their cheeks and join the registry. A possible donation can save someone’s life. If you wish to be swabbed and join the registry, the Hope campaign operates primarily through the Instagram username @giftoflifehopecollege.

Individual wellness and contributing to public health are important and responsible steps both Hope students and the general public can take. While following safeguards may seem like a daunting task, it helps others in a big way. Thank you in advance for helping keep hope, now and throughout the semester.

Hope College

The sidewalks of 8th Street might be colder in the wintertime, but they’re still full of life and light, especially when students are back in town. Fun fact: Holland has the largest publicly owned snowmelt system in the country. The 168 miles of tubing coiled under the concrete uses waste-heat cooling water from a local power plant to keep ice and snow from sticking to the streets.

Sarah Stevenson