The Clause Blogs

By: Heather Allen

Would you watch a fourteen-hour documentary all in one sitting? Most would say ‘no,’ but that’s why the English department and BSA decided to split it up into one hour increments throughout the month of February so we wouldn’t have to sit all day watching the award winning Civil Rights documentary Eyes on the Prize.

“I chose this film because it is Black History Month” Associate Professor for the Department of English Patricia Andujo said. “I noticed that APU as community didn’t do a lot to acknowledge Black History Month on campus and I thought that this would be a great resource for everyone can be exposed to. It’s a pivotal moment in our country’s history.”

Eyes on the Prize is a documentary series about the almost thirty year long Civil Rights Movement that started from the year 1954 and ended with the year 1985. The first segment begins with the murder of Emmett Till in 1955 while the last segment ends with the election of Chicago mayor Harold Washington in 1983. Throughout the documentary, highlights some of the major events that occurred during that time such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, the Voting Rights Movement in Selma, Alabama, and the Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. It also touches bases on some of the people that had a large part in the Civil Rights Movement including Rosa Parks, Malcom X, Muhammad Ali, and, of course, Martin Luther King Jr.

“This documentary series allows us students to experience a part of history that often isn’t widely broadcasted and talked about because of the sheer horror and reality of what took place,” freshman Graphic Design major Elizabeth Cecconi said.

In honor of Black History Month, it was only appropriate to show this moving documentary to help educate us about what became an extremely important part of the history of the United States. If the Civil Rights Movement never occurred, we would still be living in a prejudiced country and would most likely not be friends with the people of different ethnicities around us now. It shows us the struggles for racial equality and the fight for social justice that still continues to take place in today’s society more than a decade later.

If you ever need a break from your homework or are interested in the events that made our country the way it is today, come to Wynn from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM during the month of February to watch this incredible award-winning documentary and engage in thought-provoking discussions following the segment. Grab a friend and some coffee and watch history unfold before your very eyes.

Yesterday I attended the brown bag lunch discussion entitled “codependency” as part of APU’s “Speak Out” week hosted by the Women’s resource center. Dr. Elaine Walton of the university counseling center provided expert insight to the event while also bringing those who were attending into the discussions.

Walton defined a codependent as “someone who becomes so preoccupied with someone else that they disregard themselves.” She had those in the group evaluate the relationships they are in, both platonic and romantic, and also look at the relationships of those around them to see if they could attest to any codependent tendencies.

The discussion was quite intimate and some attendees revealed intimate details of their own relationships or their friend’s relationships. It was an insightful discussion that helped everyone understand how to see codependency and how to approach your friend’s about it or heal codependency in your own life.

We talked about how faith can impact codependency. One of these ways was through the sometimes unrealistic expectations of the “Proverbs 31 woman.” “Desire for the Proverbs 31 woman takes away from our value as Christians and people made in God’s image,” senior global studies major Erika Lal said.

Some of the ways that Walton discussed avoiding overcoming codependency is to talk problems through, express your feelings openly, avoid unrealistic expectations and work to meet your own needs.

By Allyson Rodrigues

Saturday, Jan., 29, I attended the 20^th annual Gospel Sing. This was my first Gospel Sing and after hearing nothing but great things about it in the past I was excited to attend.

The floor of Felix Event Center was packed with attendees. However, I was somewhat surprised and thought more people would be there and that FEC would look more like a Friday chapel. But whatever the final count on numbers will be, there were still many people there that enjoyed a night of worship.

The night began with recent APU graduate, Joel Simpson, getting the crowd on their feet stomping and clapping along with him. This energy was the first of the night and it only became greater as the night wore on.

There were many APU performers including Gospel Choir, Umoja, Gospel Worship Team, and Bobby Whiten, who endearingly self proclaimed himself as nervous and ran into a technical difficulty when we realized he had forgotten to plug in his guitar. The rest of the APU performers were just as good, if not better than usual.

The rest of the performers were choirs and included Lorenzo Johnson and Praizum, the Greater Los Angeles Cathedral Choir (GLACC) and Voices of Destiny. I’ve never seen choirs like these in person and I have to say I was blown away. GLACC truly got everyone on their feet and had people dancing down the aisles. The last act of the night was Voices of Destiny who won the Verizon Wireless How Sweet the Sound competition and was named Best Choir in America. From the first musical note it was obvious they deserved their title.

If you’ve never been to Gospel Sing, I highly recommend you attend next year. It was a night to worship the Lord through gospel music and see the talent He has given those around us.

By: DJ Brinkherhoff

A forum entitled, “Theology of Justice,” kicked off Justice Week 2011, with  the intention of coming to a more nuanced understanding of the word “justice”.

The discussion was facilitated by the MAS office and took place Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. in LAPC. Professor of systematic theology, Craig Keen, and professor of biblical studies and chair of the Department of Biblical Studies, Kathryn J. Smith, served on the panel.

Keen began the discussion by asking what the word “justice” means when its use is ubiquitous. He then framed what he saw as the American conception of justice.

He gave the example of a blindfolded woman holding a set of scales.

The blindfold, as Keen has come to understand it, means that there is a certain fairness at play. That is, no matter the situation, it will be treated exactly like the others. The scales indicate a fair and balanced retribution—that the criminal will get his or her just dessert and pay their debt to society.

Keen then posited that this is not a Christian vision of justice.

His vision consists of God reaching out to humanity and saying, “come”. Put differently, if Christians want to be just they should go where God goes; to the poor, sick, widowed, orphaned, and imprisoned.

“Justice is righteousness, and righteousness is also justice; and both take shape in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Keen said.

Smith says that it is about imagining and enacting an alternate way of justice. Agreeing with Keen that the relationship between just and righteous is extremely important for a Christian understanding of the topic. She also stressed the inclusionary nature of justice and that it may mean we are to operate in ways that are illogical.

For example, the command that we are to turn the other cheek runs counter to what we naturally want to do and may in fact hinder ones “success”.

Smith also gave an example of the year of Jubilee from the Torah. In Jubilee, debts are forgiven and property returned and the land is not worked for one year. When usury is commonplace this type of justice is illogical.

The rest of the session was devoted to a time of discussion and questions. Keen and Smith urged the students to dialogue amongst themselves.

At the front of student’s minds was how this type of justice is to be enacted. Students shared examples and expressed their frustration at discerning how to be just in an unjust world.

“I appreciated that they [the panelists] didn’t presume to know the answers,” junior biblical studies major, Joey Convertino said. “And I left feeling enlightened and challenged.”

By: Emily Beatty

As Justice Week 2011 came to a close, I had the opportunity to attend “Just Expressions,” a coffeehouse event that allowed students to express themselves through song, poetry, and spoken word.

Held in UTCC, there were about 15 participants and 20 different acts.

The purpose of the event was to raise awareness and draw attention to the inequality and oppression that people struggle with in their lives.

The three-hour event offered various performances. From original songs- to spoken word that mimicked that of a freestyle rap, the vibe throughout the room was powerful.

Heather Reece, a senior who is majoring in sociology, also attended the event.

“’Just Expressions’ was a relaxing way to end the week. After participating in the Body Discourse earlier in the week, and attending Justice Week events, I found great support from other individuals who are actively seeking justice and equality,” Reece said.

As I sat at my candle-lit table, I couldn’t help but become overwhelmed with the amount of pain I felt from others in the room.I was suddenly struck with the realization that I am, most of the time, oblivious to the marginalization and discrimination people have to face on a day-to-day basis.

It was extremely empowering to see the courage and the passion proclaimed by so many of my peers on stage.

Heather insists that events such as this are essential.

“APU students who have open minds can come together in a safe space, such as ‘Just Expressions,’ and freely express their beliefs and find comfort and strength from one another,” Reece said.

If I’ve learned one thing from this experience, it’s that the plague of oppression still exists, and should not be ignored, but rather, it should be protested and shared with others.Our society has a tendency to shove things that make us uncomfortable on the back burner.

By Raquel Escoto

Strolling through the lane between Smith and Trinity dorms was an array of “Fa la la” fun. Thursday, December 2^nd, was the annual Christmas chaos event when RA’s from each housing area transformed Trinity lane into a night of Christmas wonderland fun, with booths, games, and performances.  

Students dressed in scarves and beanies, walked through the area decorated with Christmas lights, ornaments and even a 20 foot Christmas tree. Old St. Nick himself made an appearance for picture taking and presents requests—okay, maybe I was the only one to make a request, but I had to take the opportunity.

People who wanted to get into the Christmas spirit early enjoyed activities from booths like “Karaoke Falala Lyrics” and “Create a Flake.” There was also a booth where friends wrote Christmas cards to each other.

I decided to participate in one booth called “Quelf with the Elves.” The elves at the booth, dressed in green festive garments and long pointy ears, dared each visitor to perform various acts. After the visitor performed the act, they would place their name into a jar for a chance to win a date with an APU celebrity. After a little convincing, my friends and I joined in on the fun. We were dared to get on all fours and act like reindeers. After we embarrassed ourselves, I placed my name in a jar, hoping to get that special date.

Other fun booths were “The Mystery Box,” where visitors sat, sipped tea and listened to music played by Mr. Tumnas, from Chronicles of Narnia. There was also a live nativity scene, a dunk tank, mechanical bull riding and a jumper. Snow cones and popcorn were also offered in the spirit of giving.

Trinity dorm was open for everyone to visit “Deck the Halls,” an annual event where RA’s and freshman deck out their halls, Christmas style. Second south was called “Manly Christmas,” where lights were streamed on both sides of the walls, synchronized to a modernized Christmas song. Fourth south transformed into a winter wonderland; third south was dressed like Charlie Brown; and Fifth south warmed visitors with their Starbucks theme.

 Once the chaos wore off, students returned to their housing areas and back to preparing for college’s generous Christmas gift: final exams and papers. Merry Christmas!

By Kayla Reid

Hundreds of people kicked off the Christmas season Friday night, December 3^rd, by attending Azusa Pacific University’s delightful all choir concert: “Celebrate Christmas 2010: Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah!” This year’s event featured the musical styling’s of the University Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Bel Canto Women’s Choir, Men’s Chorale, Handbell Choir, Oratorio Choir, and (for the first time ever) the music of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. The event, held at Pasadena’s Lake Avenue Church, was a wonderful festive performance full of incredibly talented musicians that were directed under the hands of some of APU’s finest music department faculty.  

The songs varied from soulful deep reflections done in Latin by the Oratorio Choir, to sassy jazz numbers that had most people clapping along. A crowd favorite was when all the choirs came out and did a rendition of the Christmas song, “Do You Hear What I Hear.” The choirs were placed in different locations all over the room and would belt out to each other, creating a dizzying surround sound effect.

 No one attending the night’s event could deny the vast amounts of incredibly talented vocalists and musicians our school has. They were nothing short of inspiring. It even made it easy to look past some of the cheesy hand motions and simply “Celebrate Christmas” with them.

By: Allyson Rodrigues

On Friday night, November 19^th, Sigma Delta Pi and students from Spanish 431 held an “Evening of Poetry.” The night consisted of students and faculty reading or performing poetry. However unbeknownst to me, all of the poems were spoken in Spanish. This was quite a surprise to me at first but I embraced it and was ready to call upon all my years of Spanish classes to help me through.

The event was slated to begin at 6:00 p.m. but at 6:30 people were still milling about enjoying the refreshments. Around 40 to 50 people filled Wilden Galleria to enjoy the night of poetry. A guitar player took the stage, which was decorated with green and white tulle, and played the audience a song before the event got underway.

There were two projectors up and when a performer took the stage, the title of the poem, who wrote it, and their name was displayed. Some of the poems words would be displayed and some had pictures that corresponded with the poem displayed.

Professor Marcela Rojas welcomed the audience and then the evening of poetry began. I unfortunately did not understand many of the poems since they were all in Spanish. However, the second poem entitled, “Piececitos” had the words in English displayed on the screens. “Piececitos” which is in English means, “little feet” was performed by Rachel Burnett. Music was playing softly behind her as she read her poem about children who are starving. Images of sick children and facts were also displayed throughout the reading. It was a very touching poem.

The rest of the night consisted of students either reading their poem or dancing. One performer danced to “La Guitarra” and another performer read a poem while others danced while she read. I do wish I understood what the poems were about but nonetheless it was beautiful evening. It was a different experience to sit in a room and listen but not understand. It was a low key event and I appreciated the art and creativity being expressed around me.

Students dance at Les Femmes!

 By Anthony Montes

Shoes? Check. Slacks? Check. Tie and coat? Check and check. It has been over two years since my last high school dance and it felt great to get back into that mood. Les Femmes was held Friday, November 12^th, on the Queen Mary this year and it was one amazing experience.

Now that it is mid-November, midterms are starting to slow and students have been in need of some fun. Les Femmes did just that and more creating memories to last a life time.

I haven’t been to the Queen Mary since I was in fifth grade and it was fun to be back. I never knew it had a dance floor and could handle such a large dance. One thing that became a problem was the ventilation. It got hot rather quickly but the outside patio helped cool those with crazy feet down.

The music was great and was conducted by the DJ who played at the, “Bring it Back” dance a month ago. He had a great and wide selection of songs that kept the energy flowing the entire night. The only real bummer of the night was paying 12 bucks to park your car, now that is just theft!

If you missed out this year be sure to go to the next one. If you have to, force a girl to ask you or simply pay her off. We all could use some cash as a college student.