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Finding Yourself in a Distracted World

Distractions. In 2022 with social media, an abundance of things on your list to do, and the fear of shutdowns, distractions are unavoidable. I’ll admit the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is check my phone — it’s a terrible and an addictive habit. I’ve heard many different versions of the same thing: if the first thing you do in the morning is look at your phone, you’re doomed. Okay, so that’s not exactly what I’ve heard, but the essence of what I’ve heard was that it was a horrible habit and it should be done away with immediately. But what should you do to replace that habit?

 In one of my classes this semester, fellow classmate Sarah Halvorson mentioned how they started enjoying a cup of coffee in the mornings with a new activity: staring at their wall. Now to some, that may seem ridiculous. There’s so much to get done! How could one possibly waste time and stare at a blank wall, letting their thoughts take over them? My professor, filled with wisdom and always knowing what to say, replied to my classmate with “Ah yes, we are human beings, not human doings.”

And so there I was, in the middle of a class that was supposed to be about narrative and personal essays and I found myself struck with this earth-shattering new thought process: I just have to exist. That’s all I need to do in order to be considered a human being. How refreshing! So often we might find ourselves wrapped up in expectations; ones we have placed on us from jobs, parents, professors, friends, families, significant others, and even ones we place on ourselves. How do we find the time to just exist? The time to sit in our rooms and stare at blank walls, to roam around with no destination, to let our minds run wild in all the thoughts we avoid during the day-to-day, too concerned with what we have to do.  Am I saying you have to look at your wall every morning? Nope. But I am suggesting you find time in your day to simply exist — or even find time in your week to start, because this isn’t something that comes naturally to us anymore and might take some training. Forget about the to-do lists, forget about the obligations and responsibilities. Of course, you can’t forget about those things forever, but the key to this is to find the balance that works for you and for your life. Maybe it seems impossible for you to fit existing into your full schedule, and if you’re sitting here reading this article and finding yourself in that position, then this is exactly the thing you need to hear. When I look back on the past four years here at Houghton, I don’t remember every homework assignment I had, I don’t remember every shift I was scheduled or every thing I checked off my checked list. I remember the moments I truly enjoyed. I remember taking a break from homework to go get Chinese food with a friend, I remember sitting in Java for a few hours and not getting anything done, but simply enjoying the atmosphere. That is what I encourage everyone here at college to do. Take time to enjoy every day, even if that means you stay up five minutes more just to give yourself that time. I can’t promise it will solve all of your problems, I can’t even promise it will make you happier, but I can promise that your body needs those breaks. If you take anything from this article, I hope it’s this truth: you are more than a human doer. You are a human being. So take the time to just be.

Distractions. In 2022 with social media, an abundance of things on your list to do, and the fear of shutdowns, distractions are unavoidable. I’ll admit the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is check my phone — it’s a terrible and an addictive habit. I’ve heard many different versions of the same thing: if the first thing you do in the morning is look at your phone, you’re doomed. Okay, so that’s not exactly what I’ve heard, but the essence of what I’ve heard was that it was a horrible habit and it should be done away with immediately. But what should you do to replace that habit?

 In one of my classes this semester, fellow classmate Sarah Halvorson mentioned how they started enjoying a cup of coffee in the mornings with a new activity: staring at their wall. Now to some, that may seem ridiculous. There’s so much to get done! How could one possibly waste time and stare at a blank wall, letting their thoughts take over them? My professor, filled with wisdom and always knowing what to say, replied to my classmate with “Ah yes, we are human beings, not human doings.”

And so there I was, in the middle of a class that was supposed to be about narrative and personal essays and I found myself struck with this earth-shattering new thought process: I just have to exist. That’s all I need to do in order to be considered a human being. How refreshing! So often we might find ourselves wrapped up in expectations; ones we have placed on us from jobs, parents, professors, friends, families, significant others, and even ones we place on ourselves. How do we find the time to just exist? The time to sit in our rooms and stare at blank walls, to roam around with no destination, to let our minds run wild in all the thoughts we avoid during the day-to-day, too concerned with what we have to do.  Am I saying you have to look at your wall every morning? Nope. But I am suggesting you find time in your day to simply exist — or even find time in your week to start, because this isn’t something that comes naturally to us anymore and might take some training. Forget about the to-do lists, forget about the obligations and responsibilities. Of course, you can’t forget about those things forever, but the key to this is to find the balance that works for you and for your life. Maybe it seems impossible for you to fit existing into your full schedule, and if you’re sitting here reading this article and finding yourself in that position, then this is exactly the thing you need to hear. When I look back on the past four years here at Houghton, I don’t remember every homework assignment I had, I don’t remember every shift I was scheduled or every thing I checked off my checked list. I remember the moments I truly enjoyed. I remember taking a break from homework to go get Chinese food with a friend, I remember sitting in Java for a few hours and not getting anything done, but simply enjoying the atmosphere. That is what I encourage everyone here at college to do. Take time to enjoy every day, even if that means you stay up five minutes more just to give yourself that time. I can’t promise it will solve all of your problems, I can’t even promise it will make you happier, but I can promise that your body needs those breaks. If you take anything from this article, I hope it’s this truth: you are more than a human doer. You are a human being. So take the time to just be. ★

Jacie is a senior majoring in writing with minors in Psychology and Photography. Her favorite things in the world are rainy days, iced coffee, a good Spotify playlist, and books!

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A Holistic Approach to Balance

By Evan Tsai (‘22)

Almost all college students struggle with balance. In an environment that stresses productivity and involvement, there is always something around campus that can fill up your time. This semester I am taking an 18 credit course load, working an on-campus job, leading a new club sport, serving on a committee, planning for my career/grad school, and doing consulting work. At times it can feel overwhelming. However, as I reflect on my busyness, I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given. The question then becomes, how do I maintain balance while striving for excellence in everything that I do?

When evaluating balance in your life, it is important to look at your personal health in multiple areas. Throughout this article, I will help you holistically evaluate your health in five different ways and provide tips for improvement. 

Academic: A unique part of college is the freedom to structure your work and study schedule around your personal habits. This is more flexible than the fixed schedule we had as a K-12 student or will have as working adults. However, with this new flexibility, it can be challenging to figure out how much time you should be spending on a class. If you find yourself spending more than 45 hours per week working outside of classes on a 15-credit course load, consider asking your professor for help, requesting a tutor, or consulting your classmates. Although you should strive for A’s in all your classes, sometimes it is important to acknowledge that a B is more realistic in a class that you are struggling with.

Sleep: Most college students struggle to develop healthy sleeping patterns. The National Sleep Foundation says adults should get around seven to nine hours of sleep. Although nine hours may seem very difficult, getting at least 6 hours of sleep is key for your ability to function. Loss of sleep can also lead to poor appetite, focus issues, and increased anxiety. If you are struggling with sleep, consider setting a consistent bedtime and wake-up time every day. It is also good to avoid screen time an hour prior to bed. Developing a night time routine that helps you to slow down and prepare for rest could include: taking care of your personal hygiene, reading, journaling, listening to music, setting out clothes for the next day, and making sure all your needed materials are in your backpack for class. Some of these tips have helped me ensure that I get enough sleep every night.

Physical: Living in Western NY, it can be very hard to be motivated to exercise in the harsh winters. The CDC recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise per week, which can be broken down to 30 minutes, five days per week. If you are an NCAA athlete, that can be easy. However, if you find yourself struggling like me, try planning three times per week where you can exercise for 30 minutes. This could be going to the gym to bike, taking a walk with a friend, or joining in on a recreational sport being played around campus. Physical activity can help with maintaining a healthy weight, preventing anxiety, and improving your energy level.

Mental: Adjusting to college life can bear a huge mental toll on many students regardless of their age and experience. According to the APA, over 40% of college students suffer from anxiety, and over 35% suffer depression. Missing family, feeling the pressure of academic performance, and navigating social conflicts are just some of the many challenges you may struggle with. It’s important that you are able to develop healthy practices to process and work through these issues. Although it’s intimidating to reach out for help, there are many great resources at college. If you are struggling with mental health, the Counseling Center, your RA, the Dean of the Chapel’s Office, and even some of your professors are here to help.

Spiritual: Even at a Christian college, it is easy to neglect your personal faith. Chapels, Bible classes, and other required spiritual activities provide a good way to grow in a corporate worship setting. Some people may think that is enough, but part of your walk with God is growing in your personal relationship with Him. Specifically, morning or evening devotions are a great practical way to do this. Take 5 minutes in your day to sit and reflect. Read a short passage and pray. These moments can be critical in aligning your heart with the Lord. When you are overwhelmed by the constant demands of college, being reminded of God’s faithfulness, goodness, and peace is important.

These five areas of personal health are relevant to the struggles of college students. I hope that you are able to gain some insight into balance, and I encourage you to pick an area where you can improve your balance. It’s ultimately an ongoing journey as we seek a balanced lifestyle while striving to be successful with all of our responsibilities. ★

If you would like to talk more about balance, you can email me at evan.tsai23@houghton.edu.

Evan is a senior Business Administration major, with minors in Communication, Economics, and Organizational Management.

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Another COVID-19 Casualty: Concerning Decline in Rings by Spring

Over the past year, COVID-19 has forced us all to sacrifice something personal. Whether it be the friendships we made along the way or the hope for an indoor 21st birthday party with 75 of your closest friends, everyone has lost something. 

Houghton College has, since its inception, held certain fundamental values that remain unwavering. Some of these values include: the inescapable terror that ensues while crossing Roth Bridge in the winter as well as the belief that all students, regardless of background, should have an existential crisis whenever they walk down the stairs to the KPAC and must decide if they want to leap to make each step or take multiple tiny steps on each level. 

Though COVID-19 has not affected these character building experiences that all Houghton students come to value, the pandemic has not spared all. An irrefutable truth held closest by many Houghton students is the right to a Ring By Spring. This right has never been infringed upon in Houghton’s past, but with the unique threat presented by COVID-19, it is becoming more apparent that this right will no longer be taken for granted. 

As students returned to campus in the fall, with fresh watch tans and a naive hope that Houghton was a tropical resort, the prowling freshmen looking for connection and the overconfident upperclassmen felt a roadblock never encountered before. With the introduction of social distancing and masking, students could no longer enjoy their usual obsessive public displays of affection in even the most secluded locations such as the Van Dyk Lounge and Big Als. No one could have imagined the emotional toll that such restrictions would have on students, but the impact became apparent quickly as the semester progressed. 

For those students practicing the coveted “Big Three,” days grew longer and lips remained unchapped. I can recall days where a trek from the Music Building to the Campus Center would be met with at least 3 couples scattered in my path. These couples were always noticeably enthralled with one another, unable to recognize the hundreds of other college students surrounding them. Ah, loves bliss. And now? As I make the usual trek across campus, all I see are individuals lacking identity and purpose. 

This serious disparity in Houghton’s usual guarantee that 86% of women will graduate with their MRS degree in four years (or less) can only mean ruin for the College in the coming years. Houghton is known for having generational students. If our current generation ignores the responsibility placed upon us to procreate the next generation of Houghton students, then what will become of our beloved institution?

You may be asking yourself, “This surely cannot be so bad?”. But I ask you this: If all of your friends are not getting engaged this spring, then what weddings will you be attending this summer? What will you spend your weekends doing? Who will see your swimsuit tan lines??

You may have heard Dean Jordan refer to a “celebration” of singless. Though this may sound convincing, this is a farce. The administration is covering up this disparaging loss. It is evident that, in a dire attempt to save-face, the higher ups (all of whom are married, I might add) are trying to comfort students who are desperate to enter into their “intentional relationship.” We simply cannot accept this call.

Here is my plea: In order to save Hougton’s promise to each and every student, it is evident that we should implement a spring proposal day where students may and are encouraged to propose to their fellow students (from a safe distance of course) and hope that one sticks. This is more than a fun side benefit from going to college, this is our duty. ★

Collin is a junior majoring in Music Education.

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On Safety

By David Bowers

A couple of weeks ago, the We Are All Houghton project published an open letter in the STAR. The letter argued for some policy changes related to LGBTQ+ issues, with which I take exception. But I’m here to question some of the rhetorical language it uses, which I take to be a symptom of a deeper problem. I think the language of “safety,” as it is understood in many corners of contemporary social discourse, and as it was used in the WAAH letter, acts as a kind of bait-and-switch, and betrays a lack of understanding of what is safe and what is dangerous. This lack of understanding and the associated fuzzy language throw up a smokescreen over the biggest threats humans face, crippling our ability to be truly safe.

The letter urges Houghton to “employ tangible changes in order to make LGBTQ+ students, alumni, and faculty and staff feel welcomed and safe.” Surely safety is a worthy aim? It can be; but the letter fails to define what it means to be safe. In the conventional sense, safety is “the condition of being protected from danger, risk, or injury.” In this sense, I stand staunchly with the LGBTQ+ community against those who would marginalize, bully, or abuse them. It was for this reason that I put my hand print on the rock last semester. But this, unfortunately, is not the sense in which the letter uses the word “safety;” this is the bait.

The letter goes on to “challenge Houghton College to… firmly acknowledge the challenges that LGBTQ+ students face on campus and provides a safe space for them to be who they are without judgment, shame, or controversy.” It then advocates six “first step” policy changes that collectively would undermine Houghton’s identity as a college committed to forming biblical Christians. Safety, for the authors of the letter, seems to be a matter of emotion; the human project, in their account, is to feel safe, regardless of whether those feelings correspond to a reality of being safe. This is the switch.

Please don’t hear me saying that feelings are bad. I think feelings are essential to the Christian life. You can’t be a Christian if you don’t delight in the person and work of Christ. Delight is a feeling. I’ve spent a good bit of my life arguing for this truth. You saw it reflected in the column I wrote in the last issue of the STAR. But feelings can’t float in our heads like jellyfish, stripped of anchor or guide. Feelings must be grounded in truth which does not change. 

Our minds, to use another metaphor, provide the fuel for the flame of our hearts, feeding carefully-discerned truth on which our hearts burn with delight and joy. Have truth without emotion, and you’re as good as a pile of firewood without a fire. Have emotion without truth, and you’re as good as a fire burning the house instead of the logs. There is no useful correlation between feeling safe and being ultimately safe, because our hearts lie to us (Jer. 17:9). Lots of things may feel safe that are not. Pornography, for example—even if it feels safe—is one of the most destructive forces in the modern world. We must use our minds to discern truth in scripture, with the voice of the Christian community to guide us.

So, since we’re looking for truth: what does true safety mean, in the context of a Christian community? I do think there is a good way for Christians to pursue safety for ourselves and for others, in addition to the dictionary definition. The most significant danger that any human faces is hell. Christian community, at its best, is one of the most hardened defenses against that danger for its members—not, of course, in a salvific way, but as a source of accountability against sin. In this sense, Houghton ought indeed to be a safe place as together we keep each other from falling to sins which will consume our souls, whether it’s pride, or pornography, or laziness, or selfishness, or sexual sin of any variety. Christians are safest when they are submitting themselves to God’s word and to the loving, painful accountability of his people.

But there’s another sense in which a Christian community oughtn’t be safe. Christian communities ought to be the most dangerous place in the world for sin. There shouldn’t be a single corner in a Christian community where sin can hide and not be found, dragged out, and killed. Sin dies in the light, but thrives in the dark. And it is that very act of fighting sin together, even when it can feel so risky, which secures true and ultimate safety.

I will not pretend this is not sometimes a hard truth. I know the pain of Christian accountability firsthand. I could never have killed pornography in my life without the searing, burning light of Christian community. Apart from Christian community, I could not now be battling, at great cost, self-centeredness and a lack of empathy. But it’s worth it, for the eternal joy ahead of me. Apart from Christian community, these sins would be killing me. What does all this mean for our community? The Houghton community will fail its members insofar as we fail to commit to the hard work of killing sin together. The WAAH letter seems to conceive of “safety” as a pleasant emotional state or as the absence of discomfort, and implies that Christian accountability is dangerous. This simultaneously obscures the real danger we face and disarms us of one of our principal weapons against it, leaving us defenseless in a battle for our lives. I hope that the LGBTQ+ people at Houghton—many of them my friends—allow the community and the college policies to provide hard, loving accountability to them, as they do for most of us. I hope they will forgive us for the many times when our accountability has not come from a place of Christian love and support. And I hope dearly that they will continue to be a source of accountability to me as we all seek to submit our feelings to the safe scrutiny of Scripture. The battle to be holy is hard, but we need to fight it together. ★

David is a senior majoring in Intercultural Studies with a concentration in Linguistics.

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If You’re Stressed and You Know It, Raise Your Hand

By Megan Brown (’22)

It seems a little redundant to state that we are all a little bit stressed. Turn to any of your classmates who may have blank stares and blank expressions hidden beneath their masks or even your roommate who has been zoning out at their laptop all day, and you will see that this semester is taking a toll on us. Couple regular school stress with no breaks in the semester, except Good Friday, add in stress because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it becomes perfectly clear why students at Houghton College feel the way they do. This semester was a poor time to remove all breaks because students are already at a heightened chance of burnout due to stress caused by COVID-19.

To make sure we are working from the same base, I am using the Merriam Webster definition of burnout, which is “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.” A normal college semester already leaves students vulnerable to burnout. Fifteen intense weeks of projects, tests, and extracurriculars alone can make us tired and prone to frustration. We know how we perform during college is often pertinent in getting jobs we desire in the future, so that stress of doing well adds up from week to week, from test to test. Removing a reprieve for students during a regular semester would be difficult for us to push through, but with the added stress of living through a pandemic that affects the we we must live our lives for the past year, it is no wonder why many of us are dealing with heightened exhaustion and frustration.

One way we often deal with stress to avoid burnout is by hanging out with friends. Humans are social creatures, and I think even the most introverted introvert may be beginning to feel that need for some basic social interaction. Being with the people we love and sharing our struggles is recommended for dealing with stress and trauma, but the irony of the matter is that due to COVID-19, to best take care of our friends we need to limit our interactions with people. Our circles must be smaller. When we do get to hang out with others, there now exists a subconscious nagging of “Am I going to get someone sick? Or is someone going to get me sick?” That is its own stressor, and that can add up, too. While we cannot take a break from the reality this pandemic has plunked us into, we can take a break from school, which would help ease some of the stress students are under.

I understand that if students were to leave during breaks, that would potentially add to the spread of the virus and put our campus at a significantly greater risk of shutting down because of an outbreak. That too would increase stress, as people’s lives would be put at risk and many could be put into quarantine. Because of this combination of immense stress due to COVID-19 and currently having no officially set academic breaks (the “snow days” this Monday and Tuesday only encourage professors to give students the day off), burnout will continue to occur.

To speak further about the encouraged off days that are happening this Monday and Tuesday, they are a nice gesture while also being a bit haphazard. These reading days were not planned when professors created their schedules, and because of this, some professors, especially ones that lead lab classes, and their students cannot participate in the reading days. Therefore, not every student will have a break early this week where they can relax and take a mental health moment before the final push to the end of the semester. Students should have an equal opportunity to avoid burnout by having the same breaks.

As we are nearing the last month of the semester, I urge our Houghton community to look to our neighbors who are burnt out and who may be short-tempered. We must have compassion and be slow to anger towards them. I know for me this is not always easy, especially when I am exhausted myself. However, if we all look towards each other and are a little bit more patient, especially in the moment when we desperately do not want to be, this could begin to chip away at our collective college student stress. ★

Megan is a junior majoring Writing and Communication with a concentration in Media Arts and Visual Communication.

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Finding God Amidst Declining Mental Health

By Samantha Gorski (’23)

When you think of the word “Dissonance,” what exactly comes to mind? Music majors might think of the sudden disharmony between chords. Psychology majors, like myself, think of contradictory beliefs or values. But either way, the word “dissonance” perfectly sums up my 2020 in a nutshell. Like everyone else you’ve heard talk about COVID-19, the pandemic took a toll on me that was completely unexpected. A lot of my expectations for the year went out the window, along with my sense of trust that things would happen the way that they were supposed to. But unlike everyone else, the pandemic also robbed me of my faith, which I unknowingly left unguarded. Only now, in the Spring of 2021, am I finally reclaiming what I internally lost and finding my way back to a God that never left.

If I were to ask the entire campus how COVID has impacted them, I don’t believe a single person would say their life got better last March. Social isolation and country-wide closings don’t exactly make for a happy lifestyle. But, for an introvert like me, I figured it wouldn’t be too bad. It could only last a couple weeks (which I’d peacefully spend at home), right?

Wrong. So wrong. I think once COVID ran into summertime, I knew something was different about myself. I was making rash decisions, not caring about consequences because it seemed like the things I had planned for myself were gone anyways, so what could it hurt? I rarely thought about God, was skipping church, barely prayed, and listened to secular music. Where the heck was the version of myself that started out at Houghton College with the hopes of becoming stronger in my faith? Where was the sophomore in high school that was already committed to Houghton before she even visited? The girl who knew she was home as soon as she stepped out of the car? Because she was nowhere to be found, and a defiant teenager was in her place all because of a pandemic that no one thought would last this long. I knew the beautiful thing about college was that you could rewrite yourself, start new. But what if you didn’t like who you were becoming? Actually missed your old self? Then what?

So yeah, I was a dissonant mess. An unfaithful servant at best. Yet, the beautiful thing about God is He tends to leave the 99 for the 1. In my fallen mess, He found me once again and lifted me up. And now, I can’t lie and say that I suddenly felt better, that COVID didn’t matter to me, or that my life was suddenly on track. But I knew what I needed to do to feel better, and it was possibly the best realization of my life. I needed God.    

I remember finding a safe haven in Josh Garrels music. And then Switchfoot. And then We the Kingdom. My playlist evolved. Going on walks with earbuds in, stopping and noticing the nature around me. Saying to God, “I might not be happy right now, but gee the leaves sure do look pretty and I thank You for that.” Going to church, finding meaning in the worship music, and applying the pastoral message to my life. Actually reading Scripture and… wait for it… enjoying it. I can confidently say that my faith is at an all-time high right now.

However, I didn’t want to give you the message that my life is perfect now, or that I won’t fall again. Because it will surely happen; we’re all human after all. I’ve still had some rough days and had to remind myself that someone will always be beside me in the fire. But I felt compelled to tell my 2020 journey in case COVID has hurt you as well. If you’re struggling a lot to feel God’s presence, I want you to know that you’re not alone no matter how much it might feel like you are. God will welcome you back to His side with unfailing arms. Always. And that was something that a global pandemic had to teach me. I don’t think I’d ever value my faith as highly if life was perfect. And for that, for all the struggling and unrest, for all the dissonance,  I’m thankful. ★

Samantha is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and Intercultural Studies, with a minor in Diversity Studies.

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The Only Kind of “Radical” God Wants Us to Embody: Radical Love

By Brianna Engler (’22)

Out of all the commandments that Jesus could have focused on during his ministry and time on Earth, he chose the two commandments centered around love. Not only did he speak of love, but he also lived it. He did so as an example of how us Christians should love each other. Yet, as I look around today, I seldom see this radical love. As Christians, we are called to “love our neighbors as ourselves” and we are failing. This is the part where you may say, “But I love everyone.” If you are truly honest with yourself, do you though? This radical love I am talking about is more than a surface feeling or description of your agreeable personality. This is action. You may be kind to someone to their face, or tolerate their presence when you are near them, but what about when you aren’t around them? Under your breath do you say “ugh, those [democrats/republicans/fill in the blank]?” Do you talk to your like-minded friends about how wrong someone else is? I have. I am writing this as someone who is in the midst of figuring out how to love radically. I am failing, but I am striving to be better. 

It is all over the news: we are an extremely divided country. We love our neighbors, as long as they think just like us. Any other individual is not one’s neighbor, but rather an evil being. We love to demonize the outgroup almost as much as we love our ingroup. Let’s make this a little more convicting with examples. Have you ever heard, or said, “All those democrats are baby killers,” or “All those republicans are homophobic”? How are these statements helping anyone? Answer: they are not. Why are we all high and mighty? Jesus lived among the sinners, he loved them and cared for them. One thing Jesus did not do was demonize them or look at them as lost causes. Yet we, each and every one of us sinners, believe it is our right to point out the sins in others and ostracize them for it. To that I repeat the words of scripture, “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye.” We are called to be the light of the earth, butI do not believe that people see light when they look at Christians right now. Rather, they observe our hatred towards one another, our anger, our hypocrisy. Each side unwilling to seriously talk to the other. This is where we are failing. We should be able to have a conversation with those we disagree with. By this I do not mean a conversation in which you are trying to disprove the other by demolishing them, nor do I mean a conversation where you hide your true views. I mean an authentic conversation in which all parties are open to learning about the side of the person they are talking to. One in which each person is not yelling at one another but are trying to learn from the other. Do not get me wrong: this is hard. It is so difficult to hear another side when you so desperately believe that you are right. I have had these moments. Moments where I want to shake someone until they see the truth and scream “why don’t you understand, why don’t you see?” Where did I get the idea that I know the whole truth? Currently, we all believe we have the truth, but we do not. The only way to get to the Truth is to communicate with others and be willing to learn and grow together.

Just to reiterate, I am not advocating for everyone to “agree to disagree.” We should be able to disagree respectfully and still learn from that. In addition to this, part of radically loving someone is helping them. If someone you know has been given misinformation, you should call that out. Just a few examples of topics that many people are misinformed on include COVID, the vaccine, and voter fraud. With so many variations of the truth swirling around, we may need to be directed to reliable sources. Ones like NPR and The Wall Street Journal are fairly neutral and are fact reporting (according to Media Bias Chart, 2018). Using resources like this can be very helpful. One thing that is never helpful: telling someone they are not a Christian because of the political party they align with. Let us remember that we have all fallen short of the glory of God but are saved through grace. We are Christians first and foremost, our political party is not, or at least should not be, a large part of our identity, especially when compared to the image of God that we bear. While I focused on political affiliations, since it is the most prominent area in which we are failing as Christians, we are divided in so many more ways. Be diligent at looking into yourself and work with God to pluck out any hatred. Work with those who see things differently than you in order to reach Truth. Above all, look to the greatest example of radical love and do likewise. ★

Bri is a junior majoring in psychology with a minor in diversity studies.

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Farmer’s Markets Will Heal The Divide

By Collin Zehr ‘22

Whatever political affiliations you may associate yourself with, we can all agree on one thing: Farmer’s Markets.

An establishment that predates The United States of America by 46 years, farmer’s markets are an essential part of North American culture. The origins of the first farmer’s market is in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 1730, city planners set aside a 120-square foot plot in the center of the city which gave birth to the Lancaster Central Market. Since its inception, farmer’s markets have spread across the north east to small towns and cities alike. 

You might ask, “how could a farmer’s market ‘heal the divide’ we feel in our over politicised culture?” The answer is simple. Farmer’s markets are a place where people from all walks of life can come together to enjoy buying and selling artisan goods and fresh produce. Whether you are a business person in New York City, or a school teacher in a rural community, you can find the same joy and pleasure in perusing items being sold by local vendors. 

Farmer’s markets are unique from most other ways of buying and selling. At a market, vendors sell their products directly to the customer and get to establish a face to face connection with someone they would probably never have come into contact with. In the electronic world we live in, run by social media addiction, people have become accustomed to meeting others through a screen. As more and more connections are being made online, dehumanization grows. With no in-person consequences to our actions, online arguments and bullying have become a passtime for many social media users. The way that social media algorithms are designed, individuals continue to see more and more things they agree with online, regardless of factual validity. Research has shown that mass shootings and hate crimes are possible extreme results of misinformation spread on social media, as well as the consequence of divisive attitudes and a feeling of disconnect. This has resulted in an inability to understand the legitimacy of arguments being made by someone who we disagree with. Not only are people missing facts, but the dehumanizing effects of social media eliminate any type of nuance or empathy in conversation, especially on political topics. In order to reverse these effects, face to face interaction must grow.

Farmer’s markets have a unique opportunity to encourage the direct interaction of people who might feel as if they have nothing in common. In my own experience, I have never been disappointed in the quality of items I have found at farmer’s markets, and I often have found items that I would not have thought of that have given me a lot of joy. One of the most magnetic features of farmer’s markets from a buyer’s perspective is the ability to meet the creator or cultivator of the products. When you get to look someone in the eye and discuss the process undergone to create their products, the buyer has an assurance that what they will receive will be high quality and worth whatever price they might pay. By establishing humanity in another person, we can better recognize their value. 

Though this may not be the only method to unite a divided culture, farmer’s markets are a historically significant establishment that have the potential to act as a bridge that transcends political platforms. The ability to empathize with others is essential to redeem any hope of unity. Why not improve your empathy while partaking in the mutual benefit that accompanies the buying and selling processes of farmer’s markets?

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Opinions

My Experience: Asexuality and Coming Out in a Christian Environment

By Sarah Evans ’22

Asexuality Awareness Week is October 25th-31st so I thought I would share a bit about myself. I identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community even though, in the broad sense of the word, I am still “straight.” I identify as heteroromantic demisexual, but most of the time I just say that I am ace.

To explain these labels I am going to explain a bit about what asexuality is. Someone who identifies as asexual (ace) is someone who does not experience sexual attraction. Asexuality is a spectrum that spans from those who experience some sexual attraction but very rarely (greysexual) to those who experience sexual attraction only once they have a strong emotional connection with another person (demisexual) to those who never experience sexual attraction. Also within the ace spectrum people can be anywhere from sex-repulsed to sex-positive (this refers to the way we perceive the thought of sex in general, not sexual attraction). Within the ace community some might also label their romantic attraction, which I do. Romantic attraction labels are diverse like sexual attraction labels and can be anywhere from heteroromantic, biromantic, aromantic, and more. Now that we have explored and defined the different aspects of asexuality, I would like to talk about my own experience with being ace.

I grew up in an environment that most would say was sheltered. I was a homeschooled pastor’s kid. I was told all my life that sex should be saved for marriage, but I never understood what was so exiting about sex. I have never really had my internet usage restricted, so I could have looked up things I should not have, but I was never interested in doing that. I never had that sex-crazed puberty that it seems most people do, and I have also struggled to understand what it means when someone was described as being “hot” or “sexy” because those words mean nothing to me. I describe people as cute or attractive because I appreciate their aesthetics, but I am not sexually attracted to them. This experience of not having sexual attraction is confusing when our culture seems to focus so much on sexualizing everything.

I have spent a lot of time reflecting on and researching asexuality to make sure I understand myself enough to be confident with the labels I use. I did not realize that I was asexual until this semester which has been an interesting experience for sure.

But since I realized that I was ace I have been passionate about educating myself and others on what asexuality is. I have talked to friends and some of my professors about asexuality and I have received mixed reactions. My friends who already knew about asexuality would usually accept it right away and tell me that I am valid, but those who did not know anything about it would usually say it was “normal.” I think the most common response I have gotten is, “it’s normal to need time, you just haven’t found the right person yet.” That is not how it works though. While I would say needing time is true about finding a trusting relationship, some people will never have sexual attraction to anyone no matter how much time they have. Being ace is not a choice. Another reaction that I have gotten is that I am “just being abstinent” and, while that might be a personal choice I have made, that does not make me ace.

I would like to encourage everyone to intentionally learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and its diverse aspects. The community is bigger than it might seem.

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Opinions Two Views

Acknowledgement Does Not Equate Demand

By Caroline Zimmerman ’24

Houghton College has given me so many good things in the short amount of time I have been here. I have found support, love, knowledge, and new perspectives within the walls of this institution. Some of the most incredible people I have ever met are pursuing and providing education here. As with any institution or organization, however, there are flaws not only in set stances, but also in the unwritten and inferred stances. Acknowledging the ways that Houghton College has unintentionally fostered harm for marginalized students should not be seen as a problem on this campus. Foremost, acknowledging pain that has occurred within any community—and working to stop the furthering of that pain—should not be seen as attacking an inherent part of that community. 

Although Houghton has been subject to various criticisms throughout the years, there have been several interwoven situations that have amassed more concentrated amounts of criticism this semester. The We Are All Houghton exhibition began conversations on Houghton’s role in the negative experiences LGBTQ+ students have endured while attending this institution. Some students used this conversational platform to further explore LGBTQ+ issues on campus, and with voices beginning to be heard more people began to speak and share. This was shown in many different ways, as it was not an official organization or group, but rather the responses of individuals to the We Are All Houghton exhibition. Some students began having more conversations with friends and those holding opposing views. Others took to more tangible forms of expression: placing small, rainbow-painted rocks around campus, putting pins on jackets or backpacks, or wearing apparel with symbols of queer pride. Several individuals also came together to paint the Spirit Rock on campus with the colors of the rainbow. Unsurprisingly, painting the symbol of queerness on a prominent and highly visible symbol of campus caused a great deal of controversy. 

As I speak to the intentions of these and similar actions I need to be clear that although I myself am queer and have talked to many other members of the queer community at Houghton regarding these instances, I am not claiming to be anything close to the singular voice speaking for the LGBTQ+ presence on campus. This would be an absurd claim, as people in the LGBTQ+ community are just as diverse in thought and motivation as in any other community. That being said, the painting of the rock was meant, to me at least, as a way to show queer existence. Not queer acceptance, affirmation, or the demand for systematic change on this campus. So many of the problematic aspects of our society as a whole are rooted in the lack of exposure to people outside of our own realm of existence. The dehumanization, separation, and tale of superiority that is ingrained within the privileged at a young age foster an incredible amount of hatred and justification for discriminatory actions. This is far more apparent to the people affected by these harmful perspectives on a regular basis, and can appear to be nonexistent to the opposite side. Over the past week especially, I have seen this play out. Queer students are frustrated over the countless situations and hardships we have endured while on this campus, and the people who have not dealt with these same issues see no legitimate reason for the school to endure or validate the concerns presented by the queer community. 

This ignorance has far too much power in smothering the voices of the marginalized, and this is the main criticism I see of Houghton. One of the biggest misconceptions about any group trying to further their own humanization/validation in their existence is that their motivations are large and antithetical to the people/group being addressed. The individuals who painted the rock rainbow had no expectation of changing Houghton College’s stance on homosexuality with their paint. The intention was to express themselves, to increase their visibility as a part of the student body, and to compel those who have tried to paint over queer voices in the past to acknowledge the existence of these people. Immediately after this, assumptions of motivation were wildly thrown around, with many people being easily convinced that the rainbow rock was a demand for the morally righteous Houghton to change its stances, accepting all sexual expressions. Although I personally know that this was not the point of painting the rock, this example is rather unhelpful as the intentions of the original rock painters were in no way public. So, I look to a less interpretive example. 

The We Are All Houghton exhibition has been extremely clear and public in their mission and intended effects. According to the website for this exhibition, “… the goal of the piece is to amplify the voices of students who have felt marginalized in regard to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity…” at Houghton. Providing a platform for those who have silently suffered does not equate demanding theological change from a religious institution. Acknowledging and elevating the narratives of pain from students on this campus should not be dismissed for attacking the institution’s moral stances. It should be the groundwork on which conversations take place. It should be accepted for what it brings to the table, and should be used as a resource for what can be done to strengthen and support the community. Houghton College may face many criticisms, and many of them may be unjustified. A platform that is explicitly designed to amplify voices of the marginalized should not be viewed this way, however. When one looks at something and interprets and spreads the idea that it is trying to attack an institution that person has a strong affinity for, the well intentioned platform loses credibility and much of its ability to make a difference. Instead of looking at We Are All Houghton or even the Spirit Rock’s painting and repainting as divisive existences meant to challenge the very ideals of Houghton College, the discussion these things were meant to begin is cut short. This leaves the same voices unheard, and the same pain invalidated. Please, simply acknowledge that pain exists on this campus, and that whether or not the administration and their stances had a direct hand in administering this pain, they do have power to change the way everyone reacts to these instances. The support given by the administration to marginalized students does not require them to change their stances. It only requires them to prioritize people and their experiences, and take steps to create a less hate-fueled and pain-inducing atmosphere for students of all backgrounds and identities.