February 2022

GRAPEVINE

Black History Month!－Michael Henderson

Issue No. 3

What is love？－Katelyn Sondereker

When Americans think of February, two things comeAs Valentine's Day approaches, people often startto mind. First is Valentine’s Day, but the other is Black

thinking about love (愛) – but, scientifically, what is

History Month! In America, the entire month oflove?

February is called Black History Month, which isInterestingly, scientists still do not really understanddedicated to the legacy of Black people throughoutlove. But they do know that love starts in the brain (脳American history. There are many different things I髄), and that there are a few important molecules (分could talk about regarding Black History Month, but I’ll子) and chemicals (化合物) involved.

focus on one thing today – Jazz Music.

The first is oxytocin (オキシトシン). This chemical

Jazz music started in New Orleans, Louisiana in theis released when a mother gives birth to a baby. It helps

early 1900s. It blends together traditional African-

her to bond with her new child and makes sure that she

American music (such as blues and ragtime) withtakes care of it, since babies are a lot of work! Oxytocin

European classical music. A lot of aspects of African-is also released in people who are in long-term

American music comes from West African music, asrelationships, like my parents, who have been marriedslaves brought their musical traditions with them whenfor 31 years.

they came to America. New Orleans was very diverse at

The second is dopamine ( ド ー パ ミ ン ), which is

the time, so all these people came together and mixed

released when you first start to like someone.

their music together.

Dopamine can make you feel excited and happy. It also

One of the most famous jazz artists is Louis

causes the release of adrenaline (アドレナリン), which

Armstrong. His song “What A Wonderful World” iscan make you so excited that you cannot eat or sleep!

extremely popular even today in America. His trumpet

But romantic relationships are not the only

playing is very unique, and he helped spread jazz music

important relationships. All kinds of love are important.

to other cities in the U.S.

Spending time with people that you love, like yourNowadays, jazz is everywhere; it’s even the music offriends, coworkers, and family members, also increases

Charlie Brown & Snoopy! New York City is considered

dopamine in your brain. This is why we feel happy

the jazz capital in America. When I hear jazz, I always

when we are with the people that we love.

imagine I’m in New York, either walking through theIn Japan, I think that saying “I love you” (大好き orbusy streets or sitting in a café on a rainy day. This

愛している) is much less common than it is in America.

impression of jazz can even be seen in the Disney

We say “I love you” to our family, partner, and evenmovie “Soul”, which is about an African-American jazz

our friends all the time! Every time I talk on the phonemusic teacher living in New York City. I hope that ifwith my mom, my sister, or my best friends, I tell them

you watch this movie, you’ll be able to understand andthat I love them. It's usually how we end thefeel the history of jazz. 😊

conversation! What do you think about how often wesay “I love you” in America? Come tell us!

Poster for theKate-sensei enjoysDisney movie

spending time with“Soul”

the people that sheloves, especially hersister, Kierra.

Valentine`s Day Cards

Love Songs by Black artists“Killing Me Softly With His Song” - Fugees“好きだから” - Umi“Get You” – Daniel Caesar“If I Ain’t Got You” – Alicia Keys

In elementary school (小学校), kids give each other

Valentine`s Day Crossword Puzzle

valentines and candy at Valentine`s Day parties, likethis one from Attack on Titan (進撃の巨人)!
What do you think “colossal” means?

Valentine`s Day Idioms
1. to “wear your heart on your sleeve”a. to wear clothes with hearts on the sleevesb. to hide away your feelingsc. to always show exactly how you feelDown:
2. to say that “love is blind”
a. to think that love cannot see
b. to think people in love don`t see theirpartner`s / boyfriend`s/girlfriend`s faults
c. to think that love doesn`t care what someone
looks like

1. living plant gifts which are pretty and smell nice;usually given to girls on Valentine`s Day
2. colorful, folded pieces of paper with a note insidethat tells someone how you feel
3. the organ that beats in your chest; where people
think feelings come from
4. a physical display of love typically given on the

3. to fall “head over heels” for someone:lips or cheeka. to be completely in love with someone
b. to be over or done with someone

Across:c. to fall into a relationship with someone

5. sweet things which are wrapped in cute red,pink, and white packaging around Valentine`s

4. to be a “match made in heaven”
a. to match with someone on a dating app
b. to feel like you`re in heaven when you`re with

Day; chocolate, for example
6. something that is given to someone in a box witha bow on Valentine`s Daysomeone
c. to be the perfect couple

Come talk to us to check your answers!