GINNA NGUYEN
Staff Writer
First of all, there will be no lovemaking outside the sanctity of marriage. And as for war, I really just mean revolution. Honestly, let’s see some anarchy here.
OK, perhaps not anarchy. Instead, let’s go with rebellion. Let’s talk about the art of living in the rebellion of convention. Truly, what better place to find conventions to defy than at Pepperdine?
I say convention is an asinine tradition.
It’s high time this generation finds its purpose and revolts against it.
“Every generation needs a new revolution,” Thomas Jefferson said.
I ask you, current generation of Pepperdine, what is your revolution?
Personally, I would start off with some senior pranks. Fellow seniors, by the time you graduate, I would like to see your four years of higher education pay off in the form of grandiose schemes. Take Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for example. It woke up one morning to a police car sitting quaintly atop its domed theatre. Granted, those were MIT students, but I have no doubt that we can still top that. (Don’t tell anyone you got the idea from me.)
I also would like to see a little more color among our population. Ethnic diversity, sure. But also hair color. Seriously, have a little fun with your stylish expression. I see blondes, brunettes, an occasional happy burst of red. Personally, I am going for blue next time. When talking about revolution and asinine tradition, it only makes sense that motivation be as simple as “why not?”
Last spring, I wrote a column that encouraged students to do things like running outside naked (at the time, it had a relevant point). Why did I write about such random, unconventional acts to funk up your life? Well, why not?
See, if you constantly focus on why, why, why, you’ll never be able to admit a good reason for your actions. But if you ask “why not” instead, then you’ll be doing nothing other than removing the fear and conventional boundaries around that great idea stewing inside.
The reason I say this is because commonality is too often blindly accepted. This, my friends, is what makes the world go round. For those of you who have traveled far away from Pepperdine soil, you might have discovered that there exists a different way of doing things in the world. Those possibilities are what I’m talking about.
For those who have yet to discover what exists outside this bubble, I encourage you to get out now. It’s nearly impossible to become a contributing citizen of the world when one’s representation of it lies in a semi-isolated community.
One thing I learned when I got away from campus is that I have a voice. The thoughts in my head are not meant to remain thoughts. They are meant to be shared to positively change what I can.
So speak your mind. You’ve been born with a gift to contribute to this world and to our community. Do not be discouraged if you don’t make the morning news at the start. Some of the best revolutions are the humble ones.
But for now, let’s forget humility. I want to see some action. Maybe a sit-in, or perhaps even (gasp) a protest. Props go to you who have written letters, met with the administration or done something active to pursue your agenda.
Rebellion. Anarchy. These are just two things to consider before graduation.
Until then, I leave you with the words of Dorothy Day: “The greatest challenge of the day is how to bring about a revolution of the heart.”
It is inherent, necessary and needed, both here at Pepperdine and there in the world. The best part is that it begins right inside the heart.
Let’s make a lovely war, shall we?
11-17-2005
