My alma mater on election night. Wait for the parade and fireworks.
There's a moment that I find almost touching, when about 50 students begin to sing the national anthem. I don't like sustained patriotism, but moments of patriotism? I don't know...
This would have NEVER happened while I was there. It's really incredible.
At the same time, I kind of wish the college was more like it was in the beginning -- more radical. More driven minds who can see that the election of Obama is, sure, a reason to celebrate, but it's nowhere near the goal.
I was at this college in 2004, when Bush won again. My socialist Lit professor shuffled into class the next day, sat on the desk, and said "Well, I don't really feel like talking. Or living." Or something like that. I do remember that his sweater was red and black, a Cosby sweater.
The college called an "emergency meeting." Most of us were there to discuss what the fuck happened, and what to do next. A lot of the Social Studies department gave speeches about the immanent End Times, my favorite Socialist countered with the Golden Calves of Liberalism. First Calf: If you inform people, they will think like you. Obviously not true, but many of us seem to hold fast to that hope.
Anyway, I'm happy for them. I'm happy that they had a moment of collective euphoria in such an ideal setting. But this time, who's going to ask what it means, and what to do next? The Socialist is gone. The social studies department probably hasn't stopped drinking champagne.
1 comments:
Hampshire in 2004 was like someone had killed all our childhood pets at once. Everyone was walking around in a state of semi-shock. I remember that my professors cancelled most of my classes for a day or two.
Post a Comment