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The Palm Sunday Massacre in Nigeria

Tragedy tainted the air of Palm Sunday 2026 as Christians from Angwan Rukuba in Nigeria were attacked and fired upon by Muslim terrorists. The district that was once called the Home of Peace and Tourism to Christians and non-Christians alike now faces violent oppression and trepidation. According to Fox News, there were 28 casualties by the Muslim extremists. The extremist group, Boko Haram, was recently confirmed as having planned the executions before carrying them out.

Nigeria is home to 237 million people, 51% of whom are Christian, making the West African country predominantly Christian. However, this statistic has been dwindling in recent years and could be further changed by the threats that terrorists have used against Christians in Nigeria. PBS, in an article containing an eyewitness account, explained the attempts made to suppress faith.

“The hostages were given little food, told to renounce Christianity and forced to watch the murder of other hostages,” the article said.

Open Doors reports that Nigeria is the 7th most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian. It specifically mentions the middle belt as the central area of conflict. Although Nigeria has a Christian majority overall, its religious groups are separated by location. Muslims inhabit the northern region, while Christians are concentrated in the south. The violence that occurred on Palm Sunday took place in Plateau, where the two religious sects clash in population.

In an anonymous interview with Fox News, a Nigerian Christian spoke on the cause of the conflict.

“I can assure you that the majority position among Christians in Nigeria is that what we are experiencing in Nigeria is Islamic expansionism, and it must be stopped, using whatever means is necessary,” he said.

Before the recent event that added to the tension between the Christian citizens of Angwan Rukuba and the terrorist oppressors, the U.S. had sent 200 troops to aid in defending those who were being persecuted. This action was said to be a response to the Nigerian government’s failure to protect its Christians.

This rise in Islamic expansionism in North Central Africa, joined with the tragic tradition of terrorism on Christian holidays, has many Nigerians fearful for the future.

Photo provided by Emmanuel Ikwuegbu via Unsplash

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Sports

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Southwestern University Met Its Match Against JBU Tennis

On Saturday, Feb. 21, the Golden Eagles tennis team was able to complete a full sweep, despite less-than-favorable conditions. It was cold and windy as JBU competed against Southwestern University at the JBU Tennis Facility arena.

The match day started with the doubles games in which JBU players Andrew Aylor and Spencer Keeter won 6-2 for an early victory. In the second game, Grant Hinkle and Jonathan Hillock won 6-1. For the third game, Lucas Machado and Santiago Jaime were supposed to play, but Southwestern University didn't have enough players, so the game was won by forfeit.

After the John Brown University men’s tennis team swept the doubles games, the singles games began. Machado dominated the contest, winning the first set 6-3, the second set 6-1.

“In the first few games, I noticed that his backhand was his weakness. After realizing that, I started serving to his backhand to begin the points, which allowed me to open up the court and take control of the rallies. When returning his serve, I focused on hitting through the middle of the court at first, and then I began creating wider angles to his backhand. Overall, my strategy was to target his weakness and use it to my advantage,” Machado said.

For the second single game, Hillock won both sets 6-1 for a quick victory.

In the third single game, Jaime won the first set. Then for the second set, Jaime was able to have a bigger lead, winning the set 6-3.

“I felt really good during the game, and I think I did well overall. In the first set, I didn’t play so well, but in the second set I improved a lot by focusing more and playing smart,” Jaime said.

For the fourth and fifth singles games, which were played by Aylor and William Prochazka, they were able to complete a full sweep. Both won their singles games 6-0 in both sets.

For the last single game, Hinkle won the game by default because they didn’t have enough players.

The Woman's tennis team won by default all of the games because Southwestern University didn’t have enough players to play the games needed.

Photo by David Camacho Padilla

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Opinion

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To See or Not to See ("Hamnet": No Spoiler Review)

Countless adaptations of William Shakespeare’s legendary plays have hit the big screen, yet very few films have focused on the life of the famous playwright. So, when I heard that Chloe Zhao had released a screenplay of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, "Hamnet" (2020), I knew I had to watch it.

Released on Dec. 5, "Hamnet" (2025) follows star Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare, who is a struggling artist looking for companionship. Upon finding his wife, Agnes (Jessie Buckley) he starts a family consisting of Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe), Judith (Olivia Lynes) and Susanna (Bodhi Rae Breathnach). The narrative follows the family as they navigate the unforgiving world of 16th-century England.

"Hamnet" merged many elements of previous A24 productions like "Ladybird" (2017) and "The Green Knight" (2021) all throughout the movie. Specifically, I noticed the artful capturing of the domestic tension and the beautiful rendering of color in both nature and costume design. I particularly loved the use of colored costume pieces to represent Will and Agnes, where Will dons this royal blue, and Agnes is adorned with a ruby red, both of which are highlights in the forest’s green atmosphere. With the representations of these three primary colors, there is a symmetry in the palette chosen for the scene.

This symmetry is what makes the entire movie for me. In many scenes, there are still panned-out camera shots held for an unusual amount of time, making the audience feel like they are truly living the experience. One scene in particular portrays marital tensions between Will and Agnes, all from the confines of Shakespeare’s desk. In this single shot is writing, arguing, tending to a crying baby and a resolution that made me enthralled in the domestic activities in the film.

Additionally, the writing and dialogue for this movie were genuine, realistic and also timely. This movie has a perfect balance of witty allusions to Shakespeare’s works, built on a strong foundational narrative that anyone can understand. The only complaint that I had about the writing was one scene where Shakespeare considers his mortality, culminating in a performance of Hamlet’s famous “To be or not to be.” While many might find this interesting, to me it felt forced into the story and slightly tacky.

Mescal’s performance was breathtaking and polarizing, as his fatherlike qualities show through, yet the compelling pursuit of his work makes the audience question his success. Buckley’s deep understanding of her character contributed greatly to the work as a whole. She truly embodied the pains Agnes endures in the movie, both physically and emotionally.

Following the release of the film, "Hamnet" has received a widely praiseworthy 7.9/10 on IMDB and an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes. With the Oscars just recently occurring on March 15, Buckley deservedly won in the category of Best Actress.

"Hamnet" was a beautiful, skillful, and gut-wrenchingly emotional project. If I had to rate it, I would give it a 8.5/10 for the cinematography, use of color and creative narrative. If you or your friends decide to watch this movie, I recommend you have a clear afternoon, your favorite blanket and a box of tissues just in case the movie brings you to tears.

Photo provided by Abby Rurenko on Unsplash

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Lifestyles

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Pinching, Pirates and Protestantism! St. Patrick’s Day Traditions

Another St. Patrick’s Day is here and past! But who was he, and why is he still so celebrated? Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and is known for several legends that surround his life, the most popular being that he drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. However, few know the true story behind this Irish mythic figure.

Who?

Patrick grew up in the church in Glasgow around the 5th century in a practicing Christian family. However, during his teenage years, he denied Christ because of his love for earthly pleasures. But when Patrick was kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery, he turned back to his Christian roots.

"I was 16 years old and knew not the true God and was carried away captive; but in that strange land the Lord opened my unbelieving eyes, and although late I called my sins to mind, and was converted with my whole heart to the Lord my God," Patrick wrote.

After this event, he was rescued from his misfortunes and returned home with a new heart to spread the gospel. However, his influence has lived on beyond his life, with many traditions that honor the legacy of St. Patrick.

Wearing Green

Interestingly enough, if Patrick were here today, he would probably not understand why people wear green in his honor, as most artistic depictions and accounts of him show him in a blue robe. The green that is sported by holiday enthusiasts all around the world is representative of the Roman Catholic majority in Ireland at the time of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Wearing Orange

Around the same time that green was adopted as a St. Patrick’s Day icon color, Protestants rebelled by sporting the color orange. This was in reference to the great William of Orange, who conquered the English monarch King James II in 1688 in what is called the “Glorious Revolution." This event was a key, rare point in history where a Protestant became the ruler of England, Ireland and Scotland.

The Shamrock

It is almost impossible to go anywhere on March 17 without seeing a three-leaf clover. Some say it brings good luck, while others say it explains complicated theological doctrines, but it is really a symbol of Irish pride. In the 16th Century, England was increasingly assimilating Ireland into its territory, language and religious practices. Consequently, Irish folk adopted the symbol of the shamrock to display their Irish nationalism as a sign of rebellion.

 

The Leprechaun

The Leprechauns, despite having their own holiday, are associated with St. Patrick’s Day because of their ties to Ireland’s Celtic roots. Leprechauns are mythological fairies that originally were called “lobaircin,” meaning “small-bodied fellow.” They are said to be makers of shoes and brogues, which is a specific type of stitching pattern in leather shoes. Legend suggests that the sound of the Leprechaun’s cobbling hammer is a sign of his presence and that his treasure resides with him.

Now you know a bit of the long-lasting tradition of honoring the patron saint of Ireland. Have a happy St. Patrick's Day!

Photo by Hope Brittenham

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