Yadadaimean?

Last semester, I donned an oversized chain necklace and a fitted Atlanta Braves cap, sagged my jeans, put on some swag and went to dinner at Proctor. The stares, double takes, and triple takes I received were expected, but prove my point: Midd Kids are uncomfortable with the outspoken expression of other cultures, even a familiar one like that of the hip-hop world.

Wealth and whiteness shapes the predominant culture at Middlebury. There is nothing wrong with this, as most Midd Kids are rich, white or both. However the corollary to the above fact is that other cultures are either barely tolerated, subjected to stereotypes or frowned upon as alien, and thus, out of place. This is not the way it should be. For all the progressive talk that goes on across the dinner tables and in classrooms, little of the acceptance and openness that characterizes true liberalism is present in the lives of most Midd Kids, as proven by the aura of severe awkwardness and discomfort many project when they talk to a group of non-white, non-rich students.

My main point is not in blaming anyone for this absence of true openness and acceptance, but to persuade people to actively fight against it, starting from mere acquaintance with these different cultures. On one hand, it is unusual to find other cultures at Middlebury when the vast majority of people subscribe to one single rich, white culture. The presence of a minority culture must and will initially elicit a response, just as an upper-class white family living in the middle of a poor minority community would. On the other hand, it is a grave mistake to reject these “different” cultures as foreign and even unbecoming.

I should not feel embarrassed or hesitant to express my own culture, but it is difficult not to feel the way with the frowns I receive from other students when I hold outdoor barbecues to the tunes of Too Short or Public Enemy. It is difficult to be open with my culture if people openly disapprove of me when I simply dress the way I do at home. Additionally, there will be readers who will blame me for being unnecessarily “aggressive” and “pushy” with the expression of my cultures. But this is my right: if at Midd, you dance, dress and talk the way you do at home, can’t I?

But imma offer y’all a solution. People and clubs like DMC, WOC, Triple A, Alianza are gonna chill, we gonna hold some parties, ball games, random events, for y’all to participate in, so we can get to know each other. Y’all got no opportunities to stand and watch dat way, y’all directly just get down wit tha movement. Keep yo eyes open. Yadadaimean?

Peace and love from the 209