Compare & contrast
The Social Justice Initiative proposes a Cultural Center in the Spectator….”SJI member Robyn Gibson ‘10 began the Coffee Hour with a group activity called a “privilege line.” Students and faculty stood outside ELS holding hands in a straight line and were then asked to take either a step forward or backwards in response to statements and questions…. ”
It’s not too late for former ELS members to join in!
hb
48 Comments
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (48)
RE: Spectator article:They missed an opportunity for a group hug. After all, it is all about "feelings" and including everyone no matter what the content of their character. Characteristics / values such as honesty, hardwork, intelligence do not count. Only race and gender. Interesting that these proletariat types used a capitalist tool like a credit card as the reward. What a hoot! And having their own building will help them how? It will marginalize them further from the rest of the commune...oops...I mean community, on the Hill. Some pigs are more equal than others.
It isn't easy to get ahead in our society if your parents didn't go to college - ask your housekeeper about her dreams for her children, and how she's trying to make them come true.
"Asking" for a Cultural Center isn't "getting". Recognizing the contributions of the various groups in our American melting pot is what made our country great. Reducing the importance of differences to what brand of white bread one buys isn't enough in today's world.
Quit scoffing, and look a little deeper. ["Some pigs are more equal than others." - Truly disgusting.]
Harvard is sending a graduate class as well as an undergraduate class to the AHI kick-off.
Happy for AHI. Where's the shame Joan Hinde Stewart?
AHI people should be GLAD the AHI is housed down in the village and not on the Hill, so they can have ALL the independence the founding group apparently demanded.
Notice that Hamilton students are attending the Kick-Off Colloquium?
What proposal are you talking about?
What's the surprise here about the cultural center?
Hamilton College has sold out to the diversity mafia like so many other schools.
Will someone please take the helm of this sinking ship? Captain Scott and Ensign Stewart need to jump overboard.
Animal Farm is now part of the 8th grade curriculum in some schools, as is Beowulf.
"The fact that the English language has changed so much in the last thousand years means, however, that the poem is now generally read in translation and mostly in English courses at schools and universities. This has contributed to the impression that it was written "on official paper," which is unfortunate, since what we are dealing with is a work of the greatest imaginative vitality, a masterpiece where the structuring of the tale is as elaborate as the beautiful contrivances of its language."
My God, if you are a representative student or faculty at Hamilton, the game truly is over.
What the devil is wrong with children being exposed to great literature, albeit not in the original tongue, at a young age? Surely, it will make them less fearful of it when they take a fresh look at it later on. Shakespeare is being introduced as early as the 4th grade.
Yours is the same argument made against reading literature in translation - ever. If one has infinite time to master numerous languages, then kudos to that very lucky person - unfortunately that is not a reality for most people.
And, pray tell, what does this have to do with K Webster's inability to grasp what the students were doing with their exercise? I would suggest that both you and K Webster reread the Spectator article. Oh, and to be clear, suggesting that what the students were doing might be illustrative and informative, and that you both reread the Spectator article, is not to be construed as approval of the concept of a Cultural Center.
Read http://www.hamilton.edu/Spectator/022208/Insights/CES_Doesnt_Solve_Problem.html
an excellent piece by a current student.
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others"
and it seems applicable.
The article by the student is quite good, well written, and worth a read. Moreover it is worth a substantive response by the administration, and I don't mean heaving another lame program on the top of the budget. Failure warrants analysis. Perhaps one might examine whether the entire premise is flawed.
Depending on your point of view (privileged or under-privileged) the quote could be taken either way. The underprivileged might view the prevailing middle/upper-middle class culture as always having been "more equal"; and those middle/upper-middle class members might view complaining underprivileged (who may or may not be receiving benefits of a sort to "right" "wrongs") as being "more equal". [I know that K Webster only sees it one way, but really it cuts both ways in today's world.]
I don't know that Hamilton College can solve all of these problems on its campus, because a lot of these conversations about tolerance and appreciation of differences (which might also include physical handicaps and learning issues, to name a few) should have occurred at home, when the students were growing up, and should have been reinforced in school and in houses of worship.
Nonetheless, the College should do what it can, within reason, to provide an atmosphere that requires that all students treat each other with respect.
And which "one way" is it that I see? Since you are so intuitive as to have completely missed the point of my text.
If students are not treating others "with respect" maybe it's because some people don't deserve respect - either by their actions or attitudes. If there are bullies on campus, throw them out! The world is not made up of "equals" and trying to create this false world on the Hill is no help to those who need to grow in their fortitude and perseverence. Try reading Clarence Thomas' "My Grandfather's Son" if you want an example.
Note to hb: Thanks for the correct quotation.
I see not an ounce of gratitude coming outof the mouths of spoiled brats. It's disgusting to see such selfishness. But that's what our society has become. It all about me. Grow up.
Every student at Hamilton is subsidized.
The default position in society - any society - should be that of mutual respect. Period. College students whose behavior is disrespectful for no reason other than another's difference should be called to task for their behavior. There is much of this, in this "me" generation, because there is an inability to put oneself in the other person's shoes. And it goes on, based on notions of fashion, beauty, money, culture, religion, race and gender, and is based in basic disrespect and ignorance. Sometimes it is subtle; sometimes it is not.
True - America's youth could "buck up" a little, maybe a lot. But presumably youth can learn, and to the extent that the College can promote an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding, it should.
Given what you have posted, the "more equal animals" would be those in favor of a cultural education center.
"There is a definite failing of the Trustees and Administration if this is what the focus is now at Hamilton."
The failing is not that of Hamilton, the Trustees and Administration, but rather the fault lies squarely with the parents who do not make every effort to inculcate their children with the necessity of respect for all and reasonable tolerance for differences. Sometimes, parents simply don't teach their children; other times they simply aren't successful, despite their best efforts.
As I said before, those who behave in a disrespectful fashion should be taken to task for their behavior. It would be tough for the Admissions Office to weed out every student of poor character, and the Honor Court (yes, it still exists), and meetings with the Dean should help smooth things out. Nonetheless, I do believe that the College should do what it can to promote a respectful society of young scholars - and I doubt a Cultural Education Center would be effective in any case.