Search Our Writing:
Judgement and Victim-Blaming in America: Misguided Responses to COVID-19
By Timothy Han, SM ‘22. Timothy is majoring in Comparative Literature.
It is important for us in the Church to reflect on how some of our leaders have responded to the pain and suffering of the pandemic. Many members of the Church have reached out in loving-kindness to their grieving neighbors, extending God’s message of comfort and love for those who weep. Unfortunately, there are some prominent Christian voices who have instead offered hurtful interpretations of what we are now experiencing.
All We (Can) Do
By Jadan Anderson, MC ‘22. Jadan is majoring in Economics.
We were all in the middle of something before safety mandates effectively put a sort-of stop to it. Before being confined to our (makeshift) homes and government-issued twelve-foot-wide bubbles of space, we were planning concerts and vacations and summer plans. We were sacrificing sleep to marginally more polished essays and extracurricular loves. We were building relationships. The world beyond Yale was doing the same: planning, building, sacrificing. And though some of these doings have merely changed in the medium through which they are being done, we have all experienced sunk costs of time, sleep, mental and emotional energy.
Being Home When Home is Hard
By Daniel Chabeda, ES ‘22. Daniel is majoring in Chemistry.
Home is not always the Promised Land. Home can be a collection of new challenges for students to contend with: maintaining academic motivation, adjusting to a new work environment, and continuing social interactions with peers to name a few. Some challenges are even deeper–abusive parents, psychologically triggering scenes, loneliness–and can turn the intended place of solace into a land of sour milk and honey. For me, home has been an environment of family tension, emotional strain, and spiritual temptation, an environment where I was far from my family and God. In writing this article, I assume that many of you can relate.
Exile: Transplanting and Sustaining
By Bradley Yam, SY ‘21. Bradley is majoring in Ethics, Politics & Economics and Computer Science.
In a time of chaos and uprooting, it is more essential than ever to ensure that we are transplanted well, and that we grow roots where we might end up: wherever that might be. What is the right balance to strike between listening to the math and listening to our hearts? How do we be the salt and light of the earth in a time ruled by fear, anxiety, loneliness and claustrophobia? I suggest that we might think of answers in two ways: transplanting and sustaining.
Psalm 91
By John Daoud, MY ‘21. John is majoring in Near Eastern Studies.
It’s no secret, I’m a control freak. I like to be in charge, down to the detail. But here, this verse reminds me that I am absolutely nothing and that God is everything. God is all-powerful, all-mighty, and all-knowing. And more importantly (at least as far as I’m concerned), He’s got my back. Thousands can fall, but it is through His power and love that I have not. Isn’t that incredible? I think so. And so, for now at least, it’s enough.
More than Just Surviving
By Sharmaine Koh, SM ‘22. Sharmaine is majoring in History.
Many of us would give anything to trade the fears and stresses of disruption, infection, social isolation, loss of support and certainty — for the simpler pressures of academic labour. But in our vigilant handwashing, Zoomer-U-a-meme-ing, miserable self-quarantining, there is that same sense of struggle against forces quite beyond our control. I’m still hanging on to that rotten plank…These days, all we do is survive. It’s hard enough to think about living well, let alone thriving.
Upcoming Events:
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William Blake Private Exhibition Tour
THURSDAY, OCT 2ND, 10:30-11:30 AM, Yale Center for British Art
Peter Wicks of the Elm Institute will guide us through the traveling exhibition ‘William Blake: Burning Bright’ at Yale Center for British Art. No previous experience with art or William Blake required. Meet in the Yale Center for British Art lobby.
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Vibe Meeting
THURSDAY, OCT 9TH, 6:15-7:15 PM, William Harkness Hall, RM 012
This week, we will have a more relaxed meeting to chat, have snacks, and play some board games!
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Second Draft Workshop
THURSDAY, OCT 23RD, 6:15-7:15 PM, Location TBD
Second drafts for our print publication are due Oct 31st, so this meeting will cover common problems in the first drafts, what to think about for the second draft, and some ideas on how to make the pieces talk to each other and flow.
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Dinner at Justin and Moriah Hawkins' House
THURSDAY, OCT 30TH, 5:30-7:30 PM.
Justin and Moriah Hawkins have graciously invited us to their house for dinner and conversation! Please email using the link below if you are interested in attending! Transportation provided. -
Content Editing Workshop
THURSDAY, NOV 6TH, 6:15-7:45 PM, Elm Institute
For our print publication, we will be conducting content editing in person. At the Elm Institute, and guided by Peter Wicks, you will be paired with a partner and will each edit each other’s pieces for content and discuss what worked and what didn’t.
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Copy Editing Workshop
THURSDAY, NOV 13TH, 6:15-7:15 PM, Location TBD
For our print publication, we will be conducting copy editing in person. You will be paired with a partner and will each edit each other’s pieces for grammar and punctuation, and polish off anything else needed in the draft.
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Veritas Weekend
FEB 6-8TH, Boston
Save the date for Veritas Weekend in Boston! More information below!