LIFE IMITATES ART ON THE WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON CAMPUS

 LIFE IMITATES ART ON THE WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON CAMPUS

The creative arts in general and drama in particular have always compelled patrons to think about the unthinkable by focusing popular culture on the unspoken issues of the day.  Chaucer, Shakespeare, Moliere and Montaigne “set the stage” by dancing through the political and theological raindrops to usher in the age of modern man. More recently, Oscar Wilde famously opined in his 1889 essay, The Decay of Lying, that “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life”.

Now Washington and Jefferson College has been caught up in this tradition of life imitating art, beginning with a 2016 drama piece written by Communication Arts Professor William Cameron, followed by actual events played out on the W&J Campus in April of 2017.  Cameron’s play and the issues it raises along with these events at the College have compelled me to rethink and draw new conclusions on the role of millennials in our national debate on racism and diversity.  After a bit of background, I will explain.

Professor Cameron’s play, titled Intersect was presented on campus in April 2106.  It explored the lives of several diverse students at a small unnamed liberal arts college.  Rather than present a setting of students from different races, religions and backgrounds living in harmony within a safe ivory tower, the play addresses deep seated prejudices and misunderstandings that lead to verbal and physical confrontations.  This play does not present academe as a shining light ready to lead the next generation of students into an era of respectful tolerance.  Instead the play exposes the imbedded intolerance in our future leaders. (Ironically, a second new play, This Kind of HATE, written by a student, Ty Greenwood, recently premiered at the College which also explores racial issues, not in the context of college life)

As predicted by Oscar Wilde, the issues in the play have come to life in real time on the W&J campus.  Several weeks ago a social media post, approved by the Student Government Association President, was interpreted as racist by many students.  He stepped down and the incident has sparked a deeper focus on and discussion about racism and racial insensitivity on campus.  Indirectly, diversity concerns have also moved to the forefront.

The following quote by the incoming Student Government President, an African American Student, ideally summarizes the problem: “It’s the little things that add up. If it’s a big thing it’s going to get attention. The little things stick with me.  I don’t want students to sit on it and swallow it.  I think W&J needs to act so that students know what to do when a racial incident happens.” (O.R. editorial May 1, 2017)

By all accounts, the attention focused on racism and diversity is seen as a positive development by the W&J student body, faculty and administration. This is not the late 60s when students felt it necessary to provoke conflict and take over campus buildings in order to facilitate change.  The issues first raised in Professor Cameron’s play and that later became all too real on campus appear headed for a peaceful and forward thinking resolution.

After viewing the Cameron play and conducting some further research my thoughts on millennials and the future social development of our country has radically changed. Before, I believed that age was the most important factor in lifting us away from prejudice, fear of diversity and intolerance.  I sincerely thought that as our nation became younger, better educated and more in tune with multiculturalism, old ways of thinking would disappear.

As the Cameron play demonstrates, age actually has little to do with changing these attitudes. I have now come to understand that students, who grew up in homogeneous locations with little exposure to others with different backgrounds, are more likely to share the prejudices of their parents and community.  A light bulb does not suddenly go on and enlighten them to the benefits of different life styles and backgrounds simply because they enter a community full of diverse college students.

On the other hand I have come to appreciate that early exposure to an urban environment makes all the difference.  Young people who grow up in  multicultural communities are way ahead of the curve when it comes to not simply accepting but demanding diversity.

I will provide two examples.  First, I know several millennials who were born and raised in the sprawling farmland of Somerset County, Pennsylvania.  These young people have had little social contact with anyone who is not white and/or Protestant.  Those that attended college tended to graduate from State schools in the area that offered few opportunities to meet students with diverse backgrounds. 

These individuals, now in their 30s are most often anti immigrant and believe that Blacks are not discriminated against.  They also believe that whites and Christians, the only groups with which they are associated, are discriminated against and have been left behind in the social and economic pecking order.  They have no wish to live in an urban area and do not want ethnic or religious minorities moving into their community.

 In contrast, are my recent experiences in observing the restaurant traffic in Vancouver, Toronto, Washington DC and Miami.  All of the outdoor patios are overflowing with millennials from every conceivable ethnic and religious orientation. At every table multicultural discussions are taking place. Clearly these young people are enjoying the benefits of diversity.  Moreover, these young diners are the millennials who will continue to spearhead the resurgence in diverse, urban, residential living.

I have several thoughts on addressing this diversity gap among young adults. 

  First, more geographically isolated colleges like W&J should consider having a diversity orientation session for all incoming freshman.  Unlike an urban College or University, surrounded by the fabric of ethnic diversity, Washington County has little to offer students seeking new experiences in different cultures or religions. The college is literally the only game in town. In fact, we can only hope that the College can act as a positive influence for Washington County diversification efforts.

Second, student travel, work study and internships offer opportunities to learn a new culture.  I have long been in favor of a Peace Corps type federal program that would forgive student loans in return for overseas service in third world countries following college graduation.

Third, before young people can get beyond their misinformation and prejudices about those groups with whom they have had limited contact, they need a forum to ask and receive feedback on the uncomfortable questions.  Washington and Jefferson College is the best venue to facilitate such forums.  The public should also be invited to, for example, meet “the young Muslim female student who immigrated from abroad” and learn her story.

Professor Cameron’s play, Interact, highlights the folly of ignoring diversity issues until it is too late. Events at the College show that racial and diversity conflicts are real concerns that require action.  The sooner and more forcefully these problems are addressed the better.  Then Washington and Jefferson College can become a shining example of open dialogue and respectful tolerance for the rest of our community.