Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Dec. 6, 2017, edition 1 / Page 9
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m IJSilflLlJfKI ¥ bh ELENA HERNANDEZ I DESIGNER This winter break, focus on spreading love HOW WE SEE IT Considering the numerous tragedies and hardships our campus has felt this semester, it^s time to focus on spreading love. This past semester has been diffi cult for the Elon University commu nity, the nation and the world as a whole — there is no denying that. Over the past few months, our country has endured multiple mass fatalities, suffered through natural disasters, watched as numerous high-profile individuals have been ac cused of sexual misconduct and, here on our own campus, we have felt the loss of a fellow student. Considering all of these events, the last few weeks of this semester have left many of us dragging our feet. We have all been run down, and now facing finals and the end of the semester, the sheer ex haustion and feeling that tragedies are inevitable is even more prominent. It is OK to feel sad, tired or over whelmed after this semester. You aren’t alone in feeling that way. But in the wake of these difficult times, it is important to take time to care for ourselves and also consider what we can do to rid ourselves of feelings of helplessness. Following finals, we have three weeks away from campus. Whether you are going back to your home town, traveling with family or cele brating the holidays, this is a time you can use for reflection, planning and taking action. Take the time you need to care for yourself in whatever way works for you. Unplug from social media and the news for a bit. Spend time with friends and family. Treat yourself to a nice meal or gift you want. Relax. Then, care for others. It is cliche, but the one thing our nation could re ally use right now is love. Throughout the holiday season and winter break, spread love as much as you can. Tell your family and friends how much they mean to you. Smile at strangers as you pass them on the street. Give gifts of service to communities that need it. There is so much in this world that we cannot control. We cannot change the paths of hurricanes or pass legisla tion on gun control ourselves, but we can control how we act and react. We can respond to these tragedies with helplessness, anger, sadness or fear, or we can react with love. It may seem small, but acts of love and kindness can go so far, especially in times that feel bleak. Do what you can to sup port yourself and others this season. We may not be able to do much, but a little love can go a long way. Homophobia is still alive and well — we cannot look away Olivia Zayas Ryan Opinions Editor @otiviazryan I remember the day the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage would be legal in all 50 states. It was June 26,2015, and I was at home in my small suburban town in New Jersey. I read the news and immediately cried. My mom and I baked a rainbow cake that afternoon. Our home was filled with joy, happiness and gratitude and I felt that the LGBTQIA com munity had finally won. The next day I had the privilege of attending the New York City Pride March. I watched as groups passed through the streets, some holding signs calling attention to social issues, some celebrat ing the passing of marriage equality and others simply cel ebrating. I felt so fortunate that in that moment, acceptance and love was the norm. While I knew the fight for equality and acceptance was not over, I naively thought marriage equality would help change the culture in the United States. I thought — or rather hoped — the decision would inspire people to be more accepting of the com munity. I thought everyday homophobia, such as acts of violence or using slurs against LGBTQIA people, would soon be over. But then, less than a year later, House Bill 2 was passed in North Carolina. The Pulse Nightclub shooting happened, where a single gunman murdered 49 people. Donald Trump was elected president, bringing with him Mike Pence, who has previously supported many ii HOMOPHOBIA DIDNT DISAPPEAR FROM OUR NATION’S CULTURE JUST BECAUSE OUR LAWS CHANGED-IT IS SILL A PROMINENT ISSUE THAT AFFECTS LGBTQIA FOLKS IN EVERY GENERATION. anti-LGBTQIA initiatives. Transgender people, espe cially trans-women of color, continue to be murdered at an alarming rate. Even still, after witness ing these blatant acts of homophobia and hate, I held on to the belief that most people in our country are no longer homopho bic and support the LGBTQIA community. I saw these as isolated events. I was fortunate enough to grow up in an accepting household with many queer family members. Here at Elon University, I have surrounded myself with like-minded individuals, many of whom also identify within the community. I have lived in this bubble of accep tance I created for myself for so long that I often forget everyday homophobia is still alive and well. This past weekend, my brother’s boyfriend, Jacob, ex perienced homophobia while in an Uber Pool on his campus at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles — a city often seen as being very liberal and accepting. While in the Uber, a fellow USC student riding with him spoke on the phone with a friend, carelessly using homophobic slurs. Once he hung up the phone, Jacob asked the other student why he used such language. At first, the student tried to excuse his language choice, saying it was different in that context. Then, he said he didn’t believe in homosex uality. He then said he was offended by Jacob calling out his use of slurs and. completely out of nowhere, said he got angry when gay men hit on him. Finally, the student offered to fight Jacob, at which point Jacob left the Uber. All of this happened while the Uber driver listened and said nothing. When I first heard this story, I was in shock, but soon realized Jacob’s experience was not unique. Homophobia didn’t disappear from our nation’s culture just because our laws changed — it is still a prominent issue that affects LGBTQIA folks in every generation. We cannot view small victories in legislation as winning the whole fight. There is still plenty of work to be done. I am so proud that Jacob was able to stand up to this homophobic person and was safe in doing so. If you will be safe in doing so, please combat everyday homophobia such as slurs and stereotyping. We can’t settle with the battles we have already won. We need to do more.
Elon University Student Newspaper
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Dec. 6, 2017, edition 1
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