It seems to be a relatively noisy week for our comfortably apolitical Oxford oasis. How easy it is to go uptown and forget the violence being done in our name and the moral scandals occurring under our watch. There are three groups and presumably a variety of outlooks that hope to be heard and engaged with over the next few days. Where are you going to be?
First, the College Republicans are passing out their squirt guns in a resounding show of support for our brothers and sisters that are still getting their limbs ripped apart for a cause no honest person can level with anymore. These carnival gestures will culminate in a speech 7 p.m. Tuesday in Hall Auditorium from former U.N. ambassador John Bolton. When the stink of U.S. imperialism and moral superiority hits your nostrils, remember Bolton's own thoughts on diplomacy: "Diplomacy is not an end in itself if it does not advance U.S. interests." What if we all sank to such a rapacious approach to dialogue when purporting to work with others? But then again, he doesn't even claim to want to work with others.
If you're in need of a message a little more concerned with humanity, check out Spectrum's annual "Awareness Week." The campus LGBTQ group is holding a series of speakers to express the urgent need to rethink our limited conceptions of gender and sexuality. There will be an "appreciation cookout" 6 p.m. Wednesday on Central quad to celebrate LGBT identities, and for students, staff, faculty and community members to unite in loving solidarity. Being one of the most oppressive college campuses for gays and lesbians, Miami could use a good look in the mirror to ask ourselves why we hate.
Finally, we have Students for Staff trying to put the word out about the struggles of working people here at Miami. To illuminate the inequities and propose alternatives, the group will be holding an open forum at 4:30 April 10 in Ogden Hall where two living wage experts will be speaking.
This will lead into a Living Wage Rally 5 p.m. Thursday behind Shriver Center to join hands and speak out against the poverty wages the university pays our staff. Despite working 40 hours a week, many people who serve our food and clean our classrooms hold two and three extra jobs to get by. Though invisible to many of us, labor issues are not relegated to the working class - we college grads will eventually face the same difficulties.
As people in power degrade our sensitivity and capacity to love one another, it is becoming increasingly important to come together and strive for basic fairness and equality. As individuals we can orient ourselves collectively to function as stewards of community, shaping and directing society in inclusive and socially responsible ways. All three events might offer hints on where we're headed, where we should be and what each of us can do about it. Dante said, "The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis." I don't know about you, but it's getting darker and darker around here.
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