Traditions

As a Freshman in high school, driving through the middle of my town on the Friday night of the Homecoming football game was definitely an adventure. With the car doors locked, I remember watching the rowdy seniors, dressed in all black, as they ran from sidewalk to sidewalk, and blew their whistles loud enough for the whole town to hear. Smiling in amazement from the organized chaos around me, I slowly began to anticipate the day in which I could get this same crazy night for myself. Now, as a senior, I look back to last Friday night, and smile at the fun of it all. It is a tradition that most students at my high school look forward to ever since their first Homecoming game freshman year. It is the thrill of blowing the whistles, running around the crosswalks, and freezing or "mosh pitting" in the middle of the main intersection. Running around for hours, this tradition will definitely be a highlight of my senior year. However, if you were to ask me how this tradition started, or why the senior class runs around like a bunch of lunatics, I would not have an answer for you. In fact, I don't know if anybody in my grade knows why we do this crazy tradition. It is a strange thing that the action of a tradition can many times drown out the origins or the reasons behind it. However, I believe that the pure actions of a tradition are strong enough to keep the tradition alive, no matter what its origins.

For example, in a friend of mine's youth group there is a tradition for people to write funny "ransom notes" for others. Then, at the end of a youth group event, the people targeted in the "ransom notes" would recite a monologue from a movie, impersonate someone, serenade a stranger in another language, or do some other, non-discriminatory and non-hurtful, task. Even though this tradition is now one of the highlights of my friend's youth group, its origins are not so bright. The tradition started off in the 1970s when a girl would be teased in the youth group and given "ransom notes" in order to get her stuff back that was stolen from her. Now, that harsh story is long forgotten by most people in the youth group, and it has turned into a fun, healthy, and eventful tradition.

According to its definition, a tradition is something that is handed down. It is not necessary for the origins or intent of a tradition to be known in order for it to be considered a tradition. Rather, the mere action and continuation of a tradition is strong enough for it to last. In the end, I do not know why I ran around in the middle of my town with my fellow seniors. However, I do know that it was a blast, and it is something that I want future seniors to have the opportunity to experience as well. For me, that is a good enough reason for the tradition to last.

Conscious Racism or Just Good Fun?

For nearly a century, Minstrel shows took over the entertainment of thousands of Americans as white men would put on "black face", usually shoe polish, and paint their faces black. This perception of blacks as stupid, clumsy, uneducated, and childish was seen as an innocent form of entertainment during the Jim Crow era, (1870-1960). However, as our society evolved, and our morals began to rationalize themselves out, these Minstrel shows became more racist and less entertaining. Even though Minstrel shows are not common today, their foundations are still prevalent in our society today. "Ghetto parties" have been noted all throughout the country in this new millennium that we live in today. All across the United States, in college campuses and private functions, whites have been imitating the actions of the KKK, blacks, gangs, whores, and other stereotypical groups.

Through my reading of Jim Crow on Fraternity Row, I have come to justify even more my reasoning that racism within our society is still creeping around the corner for many. It is a sad thing to read about a college fraternity party that has conducted "pretend" lynchings, and to even ponder over the fact that these parties are just seen as "good fun" to those who attend them. I guess that the justification of those who participate in these parties can conclude that they are not actually being racist in a sense that they are beating up black college students, or threatening to lynch them. As long as the "racist fun" stays within the walls of their parties, than that is okay. However, the mere exposure to these racist acts are enough to allow it to seem "okay" to the party-goers.

I definitely feel that these behaviors should be banned or outlawed on campuses throughout the country. Fueling these "modern day minstrel shows", filled with racist entertainment, pushes our society's progress back years ago. We should be moving forward in acceptance and/or respect of our differences, not secretly mocking them. With the practice of accepting behaviors among the college campus, and punishing those that are destructive, the overall campus environment can become one that is safer and more accepting. A college campus is supposed to be one filled with the intention of learning, personal growth, and maturity. These behaviors mock all of those values, and do not bring any sort of progress or improvement to either the college or the students. There should be no tolerance for such destructive behavior on colleges' campuses. It originated from the past, and it should stay in the past.

At American University, located in Washington D.C., there is a restriction on computer use, the copyright policy, harassment, and sexual discrimination. In addition, there has been a case of restriction of videotaping during a public event. A journalist student from the school wanted to videotape a speech, but was punished for her act since it was claiming to have been "stealing from private property". In reality, the restrictions on speech do not affect my views on AU all that much. I still view the university as a well-respected, professional, institution. I do not mind the idea of restrictions within a private university setting, since there are many students at the university, all with different ideas, opinions, feelings, etc. I believe in the restrictions on speech in terms of harassment and sexual discrimination, since my morals agree with those restrictions. However, I believe that computer use-in terms of student access- should not be restricted as long as it is of public domain. In terms of videotaping during a public event, AU is a private institution. Therefore videotaping without consent during a presentation could be interpreted as "illegal". However, I believe that this all depends upon the situation. Videotaping a graduation speech is much different than videotaping a meeting between the dean and students. In addition, I would like to believe that AU would take action if parties such as "ghetto parties" and other discriminatory social events were being held on campus. The university could very well see that scenario as harassment and discrimination, which would require some sort of action/punishment toward the students.
Overall, I do not know how I feel about speech codes and the restriction of speech at a university and in an educational setting. One side of me is in favor of most of these speech codes, since they go hand-in-hand with my morals. I believe that discrimination, harassment, and other hurtful actions should not be tolerated in an educational environment. However, there is another part of me that does not want to implement these codes in order to strengthen, or toughen, the students. We cannot grow up in shelters and not experience the reality of discrimination and hate that exists outside of our campuses. It is important that students leave their universities and high school campuses, ready to take on the world, and ready to face any and all challenges. If speech codes restrict the possibility of personal disturbance in a university, than one may never grow to his or her potential. Overall, I believe that there is no right or wrong answer. Merely the debate over freedom of expression and speech codes pushes us to grow, and acknowledge our rights. We do not truly appreciate our rights until they are gone, and the restriction of expression really shows us what we can have. The day that we can draw a straight line in terms of what is allowed and what is not allowed to be expressed, is a day that I fear we will not see for a very long time. However, when that line appears, I hope that we are ready to draw a new line.

Reigniting Emotions

For quite some time, my emotions toward 9/11 were not as strong or empathetic as I would have liked. Suddenly, within one hour, that all changed. My senior Social Studies teacher had brought in a movie titled, "9/11". The bold film includes rare and raw footage inside the World Trade Centers at the time of the attacks, during clean up and rescue efforts, and footage of the courageous firefighters who worked diligently for several days on "Ground Zero". I vividly remember leaving class on the first day that we began the film; it was dead silent. Nobody said a word as we all exited the classroom. For me, my emotions swelled up inside of my body, and made everything else seem less important. I did not care about lunch, or saying "Hi" to friends in the hallway. What could possibly have been more important at that time than reflecting upon that film and the tragic events on 9/11? To be a survivor on that day, I have no idea how to comprehend that blessing. Is there a feeling of entitlement that comes with being a survivor? Many Firemen in the film expressed that very concept. What amazes me the most is the dedication that all of the Firemen and rescuers had to find even just one other survivor or body in the rubble. The losses on that day were enormous, and incomprehensible. To be a survivor of 9/11 is a struggle that I cannot comprehend.

Personally, I cannot remember living in a "pre-9/11" time. I do not remember airports with less security regulations, or ever having to not pack small toothpaste tubes. For me, the 9/11 "vibe" has become a part of my average life. I rarely second guess boarding a plane, since I already feel incredibly safe with the security in airports today. For me, the biggest struggle of 9/11 is comprehending its greatness and river of emotions that flows with it. I do not remember where I was, or what I was doing on September 11, 2001, so 9/11, in a way, is a disconnected event for me. However, I still attempt to feel a connection to that mournful day. Knowing that I was alive at the time, and impacted indirectly by the terrorist attacks, is enough for me to want to feel emotions toward the day. I do not remember September 11, 2001, but I will absolutely never forget its impact.

Living In a-Limited- Free Society.

I believe in the principles of humanity, those which were set forth hundreds of years ago, and those which are the very basis of our nation. The ideas of enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, and even Thomas Jefferson, are the basis of our historical documents and the foundation of the United States of America. This idea has lead our nation's leaders to great heights, as well as the creation of the first amendment: the freedom of speech, petition, religion, assembly, and press. How can all of our freedoms possibly coexist in this nation, with so many of us? There is a vast variety of individuals who live in America; how can they all possibly get along? If we live in a free society, what gives the government the right to regulate the law? We made this decision ourselves. For the most part, we are all free citizens of this country-we are not forced to be here. Living here, paying taxes, and participating in society, is a way of giving into the laws of this country and accepting the country's standards and rules.

But what makes somebody below the age of eighteen a "minor"? Just because one is a minor, does that mean that his or her rights are limited? Does that mean that if he or she were to run away from this country, that that act is illegal? In a sense, are we trapped here? Yes, and as long as we are here, we have to play by the rules. If one does not like how something is done, or does not like a law, that is fine-that is great! In order to change that law, the individual minor has to take action. Complaining to your principle or dean doesn't do anything, because we all know that you will just end up angry, annoyed, and losing that argument. Plus, you are not helping bring justice to those who will come after you. So, the moral is to not just complain and rebel without any intent of actual change. That may get your message across, but in a short amount of time it will mean nothing. It has to spark inspiration for either you or someone else in order to take effective action. Take action to change the law; change the rules. Behind every rule, there is a person. Find that person, and fix or change the rule by the right means. Whether that involves a lawsuit, petition, or any other sort of action, it can be done. Get others involved, make your voice louder, become a movement. Let's face it, in order to win this game, we have to play by the rules, and hopefully in the end, we will beat the game. It CAN be done, but only if you are willing to sacrifice a bit. The choice is yours: be a stubborn complainer, or be the change.