Elephant Love: the search for identity in multiracial families

By Alysa Obert

At Beacon Christian Academy Marvin Wernsing is hard to miss. His popularity rivals the Jonas Brothers thanks to social skills, and athletic ability. His parents are well to do, white, intellectuals who love him very much. Marvin is Guatemalan. Brittany Fraser is a classically trained ballet dancer from the inner city. When she is not on point, she is breaking a sweat dancing hip-hop. Fraser is a white female who was adopted into an African American family. International/Transracial adoptions are increasing. While only 15% of adoptions fit in this category in 1993, the U.S. Department of State shows that in a decade they have more than doubled. A look at this trend in the Gordon college community reveals the joys and challenges facing international/transracial families. Dr. Dorothy Boorse, professor of biology at Gordon, and her husband adopted Marvin when he was four years old. Their biological son Galahad was at first hesitant for another sibling. “We had always wanted to adopt,” explained Boorse, “and we knew it would be good for Gally to have a brother.” When it comes to having a biological child and a child of a different race, differences are hard to ignore, so Boorse and her husband don’t. “We paint them [the differences] as positives” said Boorse, “Marvin even says he wished more people had brown skin so that they wouldn’t get burned in the sun.” Marvin’s adjustment was relatively easy, but Boorse reminds herself of everything he has had to give up. “He literally gave up everything his language and everyone he ever knew to come here,” said Boorse. Foreseeing the difficult transition Boorse and her husband were proactive. They kept his name and Boorse learned Spanish. The name on his birth certificate reads Marvin Calentros Orantes Boorse-Wernsing. Marvin’s future will be as complex as his name as he strives to figure out where his Guatemalan roots begin and where his American roots end. Brittany Fraser, a sophomore deciding major, ’13 has experienced much of what Marvin will encounter. Fraser, a white female, was adopted into an African American family at a young age. Her older brother Jacob is also adopted but her younger sister Bethany is biological. “My parents made sure to celebrate our differences; Jacob is good at sports, I am better at school, and Bethany is the best dancer,” said Fraser. “But, there are more obvious differences like being white,” she said. Fraser explained the frustration that few could relate to her admittedly different situation. “So many people think that racism doesn’t exist any longer,” said Fraser. “But I walk down the street with my dad and women move their bags to the other side of their bodies.” While Fraser believes that the reaction is subconscious, such behaviors are recurrent. Fraser also explained the hardship her parents had sympathizing with the struggles a white woman faces in a black community. “When somebody calls a black person ‘nigger’ the whole community is behind them,” said Fraser. “When people called me ‘white nigger’ it was like, well you don’t have it as hard as we do.” For Fraser the most awkward parts of her day are the public moments with her family. Most people assume Fraser is the girlfriend of her eldest brother, or worse her father. But for all of the hard moments, Fraser would not change a thing. Her experience has allowed her to be a part of a new culture and given her sensitivity to others who feel outcast. After her battles at home, troubles of a different sort met her at Gordon. “I have never experienced anything like rich white suburbia,” said Fraser. She explained that her community at home was very communal as opposed to the individual mentality of many peers. Still she is eager to learn and to grow, “I just need to remember that confirmation of who I am comes from letting me be the one who defines that,” she said. “For kids like me and Marvin,” said Fraser, “the key to survival is learning to not only accept the elephant in the room, but to love it.”

Engrained

Imagine how easy it would be to forget the impact of the riots in Birmingham, the water hoses, the children in jail, if the media was not there documenting every minute, engraining it in our minds. The media, for better or for worse, is not like our memory. We have the complex and often wonderful act of forgetting, erasing the memories we don’t want to remember. By contrast the media, our fly trap, is often a very audible echo from the past, calling out to us lest we allow history to repeat itself.

Rabbinic Teaching in the Chapel

By Alysa Obert

In their Convocation series entitled, Creativity, Gordon College invited three Rabbi’s to teach on various Psalms. The Psalms were chosen for their poetic nature.

Many students were excited about this opportunity to learn.

Amanda Hernandez, ’12, Biblical Studies major said, “for Christians this teaching is extremely helpful, giving us the historical background.”

“I am always encouraged by the fearless questions they ask,” said, ’10 Art Major Abby Ytzen. “It is very refreshing, that they aren’t afraid to ask uncomfortable questions like, ‘was Adam a homosexual?’”

Biblical studies Major, ’11 Scotty Pichard said that he felt that “this is a great way to bring both faith communities together, and put our differences aside, seek justice and peace.”

One student stated that she felt Rabbis should speak in different venues. She states, “I recognize Convocation is an academic conversation, but I still view the Chapel as sacred,” this student requested to remain anonymous.

When asked why he invited the Rabbis to speak Dr. Wilson said, “I guess it is so basic you can miss it. The Jewish community has given the most important gifts the Church has received:who it is, and who they believe.” “In the end,” said Wilson, “it is a question of humility, are we humble enough to listen?”

For more details visit, www.gordon.edu keyword: Convocation.

Professor Burton: Too Cool for School?

By Alysa Obert

She leaned back in her chair, explained her thirty minute timeline and stepped out of the room to grab a drink of water. The office was sparse, newly moved into with a mug that said “you may all go to hell but I’m going to Texas” and a large teapot which hinted that espresso wasn't her preference. Her short hair was controlled, an artistic disarray and her sapphire blue sweater was a welcomed contrast to the white walls. Gordon College, the time has come to meet your new Communication Arts Professor, Virginia (Toddy) Burton.

Burton grew up in a small tourist town in Nevada, went to boarding school in Concord, New Hampshire, and did her Undergrad at Brown University which was briefly interrupted when she took of a year to work in film production. After College she spent time in New York City and it was off again this time to the University of Texas. She spent seven years in Austin where she wrote and directed her two short films, Alien Rose and The Aviatrix.

Perhaps the most interesting fact about Burton is not her accomplishments, nor where she has been. It is her view of film, its role, and the how “faith infuses everything.” Burton made the disclaimer that while her faith is fundamental especially to her filmmaking and stories, she is more subversive in her approach. Burton believes that art and film in particular are about serving the audience.

“Frequently it is easy to think about it as self expression or this autonomous idea, but I try and return as much as I can to this idea of thinking of it as servant hood,” said Burton.

Burton will continue to pursue filmmaking while teaching here at Gordon College. She is at present working on two scripts: one she hopes to direct. For further information and a look at her short, The Aviatrix see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVJuWZGmQUY

Students Feel Zinsser’s Writing Advice is Timeless

by Alysa Obert

What did William Zinsser say in a book written 30 years ago that applies to young writers today? Many students say, everything. 

Students were asked to comment on Zinsser’s book, On Writing Well, and all said Zinsser’s advice was timeless.

“Zinsser is eloquent, yet he uses a conversational, simple tone,” said Steve Fletcher, ’12, a communication arts major from Maine. “In fact, I’d have to say Zinsser is the best book I’ve ever read on writing and I’ve read the classics.” When asked what warranted this praise, Fletcher said, “Zinsser emphasizes the basics: keep it simple, get your facts right and enjoy what you do.”

Michelle Webber of Bluehill Maine said she was encouraged by Zinsser’s book. She explained that she used to write in a very simplistic way but when she came to college she was encouraged to use a complicated and academic tone. “It was encouraging to known that I can write and not have to put on this academic facade to be a good writer,” said Webber.

“Zinsser takes a very chaotic spin off of Strunk & White’s Elements of Style,” said Jake Copan, ’11, a student and journalist from Vienna, Austria. Copan was not enthused about Zinsser’s style, though he did say many of Zinsser’s points were essential. “For example, Zinsser’s advice to get rid of the clutter is essential to good writing and sensationalist writers of today would do well to listen.”

Natalie Ferjulian, a student as well as a writer for College Communications, said even on the field Zinsser has something to say. “The dude is hilarious,” said Ferjulian, “what he is saying about writing is applicable no matter if it is 50 years later.” When asked how Zinsser applies to the writer of today she stated, “no matter the technology, you will always need to know how to write well.”

The Online Tartan: A Disappointment

Lynn Sommerville was sitting in her apartment armed with a tea bag and a pillow for support. Isaac Seeland was hunched over the table asking himself how he got suckered into commenting on the school paper. Michelle Webber was wondering why she was being asked so many questions and Abigail Soleberg was confidently sipping her coffee. All said they were disappointed with The Tartan’s online transition.

Sommerville, a junior English major with senior standing explained that her previous opinion of the Tartan was that it needed work. “It seemed like a high school paper to me” she said, “there were no ‘letters to the editor’, no articles on important events, I mean a few election pieces but overall there was no real substance.”

The online transition however, made her sad. “It reflects badly on the school to have no publication. There is something about a tangible copy and that probably is a little nostalgic.”

Seeland a Communications major interested in film had more to say on the online aspect. “There may be a small intentional audience that still reads it, but you won’t have the readership you did before when you could just pick up a copy”.

Webber, another Comm student, was a little more optimistic. She understood the advantage, that it could be updated and changed around the clock. “At the same time”, she said, “there is something more official about a printed paper. It gives it more authority as opposed to making the Tartan seem like an online blog.”

Solberg was perhaps the most vocal. “I think it is stupid! There is something special about holding the paper in your hand. I mean, it’s called a newsPAPER.” 

It is clear that regardless of their opinion before, students are unhappy about the change. One must then ask the question is it unethical for the Tartan to print the news where few will read it? Or is it the responsibility of the reader to find out where the news is being reported?

*Photo courtesy of Google images.