Anytime someone suggests I have to name my favorite things, the familiar tune of "My Favorite Things" from "The Sound of Music." I'm a gay man with a taste for musical theater; it was inevitable.
But in this particular case, when I was asked to name my favorite things about Wittenberg, I didn't immediately think of cream colored ponies or crisp apple strudel, or doorbells, or sleigh bells or anything like it. My favorite parts of Wittenberg are far more abstract things that can't be held in the hands but rather things held in them mind.
My favorite thing about Wittenberg is its continued idealism. I may be a hardened and surly cynic, but I thoroughly appreciate it when there is still some groups of people that assume the best and brightest out of everyone and everything.
Wittenberg has people like those who faculty in the English department that give second, third and fourth chances. They genuinely believe in the people that they are teaching; they want the best for them. Wittenberg is a place that despite all of their best efforts believes in the common good of every student. They don't want to think that we can be racists or bigots. They still think that everybody can determine their future paths for themselves, and they think the current services around are the best available.
Maybe I'm mistaking idealism for naivete? Maybe, in the words of a professor of mine, I'm pumping too much sunshine out of their ass. Maybe I have my own glimmer of idealism that I didn't know I had. I think Wittenberg gave it to me. There's always so much talk about the "Bubble" and how much we don't know what's going on in the outside world, but the unwavering amount of integrity that this school tries to instill in us is certainly my favorite thing.
So, apparently this post is going to end up being a lot like The Sound of Music, hopelessly optimistic, old-fashioned, and something that's easily told in just a few short words. And that brings us back to do.
Great point! I guess I didn't really think about it but there is a lot of positive energy that faculty give to students.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to think about the negatives when you're stuck in the middle of college and stressed out. Thanks for finding the bright side!
(I'm also glad that I'm not the only one who thought about the Sound of Music when this blog was assigned!)