The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives. ~Robert Maynard Hutchin

Welcome back everyone to a brand new year! I hope you all had a wonderful summer and are excited to start a brand new year.  Whether you are an incoming freshmen, transfer student, a seasoned returner, or an eager senior (or super senior)– I hope you make the most of this year!

This year, during Saints Nation, one of the events was The Evolution of Dance.  If you haven’t seen it on YouTube (and I highly recommend you check it out), it is a spectacular show done by the comedian Judson Laically, where he goes through the most popular dance moves over the last 50 years within a seven minute performance. As entertaining as that was, I was also inspired by the provoking speech he about choices.  He mentioned how each of us has a choice– whether that be to succeed or fail.  If there is a situation in which we have some semblance of control, then we have a choice about the outcome.  And for those situations in which we have no control…we are not to worry about that.  For most people, especially myself, that is much easier said than done, however it’s good food for thought!  So decide now before things get crazy about what you want to focus on this year and what you want to get out of it.  Realize you do have a choice, act on that, and see where it takes you!

After reading an article about how Appalachian State University rejected a memoir by Judy Shepard from their summer reading program, I was intrigued as to know why.  On Appalachian State’s website it states that the Program is designed so “students establish a common experience with other students that will help develop a sense of community with their new environment and introduce them to a part of the academic life they are beginning at Appalachian.” Keeping this in mission statement in mind, the article states the reasoning behind the rejection of the book.  Kathy Staley, an archivist at App State’s Belk Library, claimed that The Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed was found by some to contain “homophobic” passages.  I became curious as to what these “homophobic passages” could be, so I picked up a copy of the book.

Throughout the memoir, the life of Matthew, according to his mother based upon her own and close friends and family of Matthew accounts, is portrayed from his first few days of infancy, to the last brutal days he spent here on earth.  The audience sees the trials and troubles Matthew faced, not only about coming to terms with his own sexuality and the acceptance or rejection of others, but also how he battled with clinical depression, was raped in a foreign city, had a drinking problem, wrote bad checks and had some run-in’s with the law.  However, the readers also experience the passion Matthew felt towards others, his curiosity towards politics, languages, and international affairs, as well as his openness and compassion towards those around him.

More importantly, though, is that the readers get a glimpse of the pain and brutality that Matthew experienced as he was beaten and left to die, as well as the heartbreak and devastation felt by his family.  As the memoir vividly describes how Matthew was mercilessly attacked, his final days in ICU, his death, and the trial which convicted his two killers, the most important aspect of the book was how Matthew’s death opened the eyes of our nation towards the injustice and intolerance for those who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgendered.

I read this book cover to cover and found no passages I would deem as “homophobic”.  I feel the passages articulated the hatred and ignorance of many Americans and would dare to say that this book struck a nerve with Appalachian State due to its brutal honesty and the assumption that Appalachian State did not want to face the impact it would have on its community.  Additionally, it was stated by Professor Emory Maiden, the head of the summer reading program, that “[Ms. Shepard] was a grief-stricken mother  [who] had gotten into print on a subject that she neither wholly understood nor have [sic] a broad experience with.”  Therefore, Maiden believed that Ms. Shepard did not speak with authenticity on matters such as hate-based violence. However, as I read Ms. Shepard’s accounts, she blatantly admitted to being hesitant to speak on behalf of LGBT legislative issues originially, due to the fact that she was not an expert when she first started.  However, with the guidance of true experts, she began her trek on learning and becoming familiar with current issues.  After twelve years of lobbying for hate-crime legislation and being a mother who lost her son to a hate-crime act, how could she not be an expert on the issue at hand?  Though she did not ask or seek out this position, Ms. Shepard has used her son’s story to pave a way toward prevention of further ruthless acts.  She has spoken at a number of college campuses and corporations informing individuals about what the can do to make this world a more accepting place.

The university ended up choosing Mudbound by Hillary Jordan, an award winning book which addresses social justice issues.  Though I do not find any wrong in choosing a different book, I do believe that the reasoning as to why the book was not chosen depicts the ignorance and intolerance that the book itself speaks so strongly against.  To find this book as “homophobic”, albeit only two accounts of this was made, speaks greatly of the incomprehension and closed-mindedness within our nation today.

What do you think?  Do you think, regardless of your personal opinions towards LBGT issues, that Appalachian State University’s reasoning for dismissing this book was justified and in line with their reasonings for the Program? Did this statement portray the sense of community that the Program is designed to instill?

College is about taking risks.  Think about it.  What better time in life is there to try, fail, try again, and succeed?  In college you are surrounded with the security of the university to help you up after you fall. Once you’re in the real world, you may not have that support system to lean on (maybe you will, I haven’t been in the real world yet, so I’m just assuming).

Now, I’m not talking about taking stupid risks.  I’m talking risks made with a rational, educated goal. For example, risks taken within friendships.  College is a breeding ground for diversity.  People come in with different backgrounds, views, opinions, etc.  Here is a chance to learn more and expand that bubble of knowledge you’ve been building for the past 18-22 years. Step out of your comfort zone and talk to someone that you may not have considered talking to.  My guess is, especially in the first few weeks of school, they probably are looking for someone to talk to too.

There are also risks taken within student organizations.  If you have a brilliant idea that you think this campus needs, what better time to act than now?!  Here at Maryville, resources you need to make a difference are at your fingertips.  People to guide you and offer advice are just around the corner.  College is a time to create a form a legacy. Legacies are rarely formed by being safe and blending in.  Stand out.  Find your voice and make a pledge to take risks within our collegiate years.

“Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.”   ~Albert Einstein