Shades of Blue | Spring 2022

Living with Autism

Living “With” Autism When I was in elementary school, my parents began to observe specific behaviors in my brother that were atypical for toddlers his age. As a three-year-old boy, Kenneth (or Kenny, as he prefers to be called) should have communicated well with a limited vocabulary, shown affection on his own, and showed his…

Energy Never Dies

by: Marisa Ackerman As I look out across the vast nothingness that is the Appalachian Trail in the dead of winter, I closed my eyes and tried to conjure something— anything— constructive. My father had been sick for over a year, and while the family was thoroughly prepared for his passing, the monumental shock and…

The Cultural Bias of Tik Tok

The Cultural Bias of Tik Tok A new aspect of life is our digital performance. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are tools used to help us present ourselves on the internet. These platforms have become standard for everyday interaction. We post to our Instagram stories to share news or an insightful article; We post…

Modern Influences of the Zodiacs

Modern Influences of the Zodiacs Have you ever wondered what was the right career choice for you? Do you have certain traits that might give you the potential you need to be successful in your professional career? Then find out what job fits you based on your Zodiac sign. Whether it is social media…

Numb

by: Princess Bonsu Content Warning: Brief mention SA/Suicidal ideation The ancient door squealed on its hinges as she turned the rusted knob, letting out a sigh as she entered her home. It was quiet–a sharp contrast to the three services she attended this morning. Being a deaconess in the church is stressful and at times…

Content is King: Entertainment in the Modern Era

by: Savannah Rettig There’s no doubt that the landscape of entertainment in the modern era has changed significantly from fifty, twenty, even as little as ten years ago. In the past two years—since the dawn of the age of COVID-19—the way society consumes entertainment has had to shift drastically to accommodate the new “norm” of…

The Megachurch Phenomenon

by: Zeb W.G. Danny McBride’s HBO series The Righteous Gemstones follows the antics of the Gemstone family and their televangelist empire. Religion has never been above lampooning, but McBride’s take seems to blend a respect for the followers of the practice with jabs at the often-hypocritical nature of its practitioners. This is really the focus…

Valentine’s Day

by: Aubresha Tarrance “It’s been three days…three days since we’ve last spoken. We walk past each other every day. We sleep together for God’s sake! Yet, we haven’t shared a word.” These are the thoughts that’ve been running rampant in my head. I sneakily glance at you from over my book while sitting on the…

Examining Cancel Culture

by: McKenzie Culliver Cancel culture has been the demise of more than a few celebrity careers. The wave of “#canceling” celebrities, politicians, and influencers took off in 2017, and immediately sparked heated discussions on its implications and role in society. Some say cancel culture is the younger generation’s way of enforcing or solidifying the social…

The Great Resignation: What’s Up With Work?

by: Ashleigh Holloway What’s up with work? In April of 2021, workers started quitting their jobs in droves amidst a raging pandemic and social uncertainty, leading to the historic “Great Resignation.” With millions gone and more on the way, spectators on all sides are looking at the dynamic change in American work culture. So, what…