COMMENTARY THE WABASH
March 2017
ADVANCING IDEAS & INSIGHTS ABOUT TRADITIONAL WABASH, EST. 1993
Progress?
Making Progress with the Horns is Permissible Only for the Purpose of Punishing One’s Own City. To Be Conscious of Danger Brings Good Fortune. No Blame.
Perseverance Brings Humiliation.
晉
March 2017
COMMENTARY THE WABASH
E ditor J acob R oehm ‘18 S taff Nathan Muha ‘18 Jared Cottingham ’18 John Newton ‘18 Logan Taylor ‘18 Nolan Callecod ’19 Brennan Davenport ’19 Brandon Johnson ’19 N athan H ubert ‘20
CONTENTS
5| Academia as a Function of the Community by Nathan Muha ‘18
6| EQ
by Staff
8| How to Be A Gentleman: Cigars by Jared Cottingham ‘18
12| Privilege Check! by Staff
13| Skepticism
by John Newton ‘18
For year-round coverage, visit our website, Twitter, and Facebook page: thewabashcommentary.org Twitter: @TWCommentary
14| I Thought So, Too
by Nathan Hubert ‘20
15| Lexicon Liberandus by Staff
Want to voice your concerns? Do you have a burning criticism? A consonant voice to lend? We publish letters to the editor: thewabashcommentary@gmail.com Subscriptions inquiries: The Wabash Commentary Post Office Box 851 The Wabash Commentary is published by the Foundation for a Traditional Wabash, Ltd., and is distributed free to Wabash Students (limit two copies per person). Donate $25.00 or more and receive a subscription! All contributions should be made payable to the “Foundation for a Traditional Wabash.” The Wabash Commentary is a member of the Indiana Collegiate Press Association (ICPA) and the Collegiate Network. Special thanks to the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Leadership Institute, Young America’s Foundation and USBIC.
Who We Are: The Wabash Commentary (TWC) is a student-run journal of news and opinion dedicated to advancing ideas and insights about Traditional Wabash. Since its founding in 1993, TWC has fiercely maintained its editorial independence, free of administration or faculty control, not beholden to any social, partisan, or religious agenda. Drawing from both classical liberal and traditionalist thought, TWC’s mission is to foster rational discussion in the common pursuit of Scientiae et Virtuti, on campus and beyond.
The Plan... Gentlemen,
Thank you for reading and supporting The Wabash Commentary. This issue is the product of a great deal of work on the part of our staff. No acknowledgement would be complete without reference to our alumni, professors, and friends who continue to provide us with a great deal of support, even when we are at our feckless worst. While The Wabash Commentary does not print articles about affairs beyond our campus, we still consider their influences as they concern Wabash College. Several of the pieces in this issue relate to how Wabash has been affected by the events of this past November. You will be encouraged that our students and staff continue to think critically about the events of their times, starting right here on campus. John Newton ’18 reminds us to respect others and their opposing views in these divisive times. Nathan Hubert ’20 reflects on the controversy surrounding the Bell Game this past Fall. While these two articles in this issue directly relate to our current social-political environment, our Lexicon Liberandum and Flowchart like a Gentleman reflect our staff’s commitment to satirically push against popular ideologies, here on campus and at-large. Our article on Enduring Questions takes a humorous stab at this “perennial” faculty favorite. Last, an article from Jared Cottingham ’18 provides valuable insight on the pleasures of a gentleman: cigar smoking. It has, and will continue, to be the policy of this magazine to serve as a forum for ideas that dissent from the mainstream, so rarely found on campuses today. The job of The Wabash Commentary isn’t just to send a magazine to the printer, but to promote a culture on campus that isn’t afraid to ask tough questions to those who do not want to hear them, and especially to those who do. At other institutions, students holding unpopular opinions are accused of “creating a hostile environment” and “politicizing debate.” However, TWC is encouraged more than ever by the debates among Wabash students that have been invigorated by the events of our times. Disagreement is a powerful tool for intellectual development, one that most seem to disregard. If any member of the Wabash community reads The Wabash Commentary and comes away thinking about our institution more profoundly than before, TWC has done its job. Be indignant, with us or about us. Challenge us. Challenge yourself. Challenge The College. Write us a letter or email. Debate. Learn. Speak up.
Yours for a Healthy Wabash,
Jacob Roehm ’18
Cheers Jeers to the bookstore for embracing modernity. Who needs books, anyway? Cheers
to The Bachelor for their typos. Atleast their consestint. Cheers
Jeers
to Violet Benge. We don’t know who you are or what you did with her, but we want Violet Mayberry back. to D. Trump. It’s only a matter of time before he executes Order 66. Cheers
Jeers to the alt+← and to the alt+→. Shortcuts to nowhere?
Jeers to T-Wade for trying a little bit
too hard to act like he’s just as old as the IFC that he works for. to the IT Department for the second website redesign in four years. Cheers
Jeers
to the IT Department for neglecting to do pretty much any other aspect of their job.
Jeers
to “Today, I would like us Jeers to John Haley for calling out to analyze the text in the context of professors by name. It’s okay if we current events.” do it, but not anyone else. Next time, email us and we’ll see what we can do. Cheers to “Can we not?” Jeers to The Wabash Commentary. Cheers to Rhynie burgers. Our taste You offer yourself as the font of for tears and lighter fluid was fading. knowledge, quenching the insatiable thirst of the intellect— available only Jeers to Wabash for not celebrating once a semester. Daddy Trump on President’s day. #NotHisDay Jeers to “Resistance to bad publicity” for being a gendered stat. Jeers to Title IX initiatives. Though we barely knew ye, already ye be Jeers to the administration. Paying replaced by The Great Messiah, O for infomercials is in poor taste. Holy Annointed One, Jackson Katz, the domestic violence movement’s Jeers to The College for considering Magnum Opus. purchasing an item from an infomercial. Cheers to Jackson Katz. It’s about time someone told us not to rape Jeers to Wabash for thinking it anyone. was a good idea to make prospective students sit through EQ. They came Cheers to Jackson Katz for to see a proper education, not the creating ‘student and administrative crystalline excretions of the left. leaders’ in his MVP program. We hear the puppeteering program for Confucius says: Poor times bring poor administrators is exceptional. Cheers:Jeers ratios
Got Opinions? We can help!
Contact us at : thewabashcommentary @ gmail . com 4 - The Wabash Commentary
Pudet
Academia as a Function of the Community Reflections on the Celebration of Student Research
B y N athan M uha ‘18 | namuha 18@ wabash . edu Each year, on the last Friday of January, Wabash College pulls together to recognize the academic achievements of its Student Body. The “Celebration,” as we call it, was formally introduced to the College on Friday, January 26th, 2001. Under the direction of Professors Charles Blaich (Psychology, Director of the Center of Inquiry) and Scott Feller (Chemistry, Dean of the College), the Faculty Committee sought to bring a unique opportunity to present undergraduate research to students across all disciplines. Based on a wide range of national conferences for undergraduate research, the intimacy of the Celebration (and the community
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period, and are generally utilized for Division II and III research. Despite these general trends, each year renders different takes on the presentation formats, and any body of research can be (and most likely has been) presented as either a poster or presentation. As a self-professed academic, I’m naturally drawn towards these types of events. The wide breadth of topics covered, the opportunity to discuss new ideas that had never been encountered before, perhaps even the occasional dispute over claims made by someone in your own field(s) of study that contradict your own research. However, I know that’s not why the majority of the Student
you attended in the place of class time (a gentle nod to Captain McKinney, among others, is in order here). These may be annoyances to you, but they are done with a due right to. Success at Wabash is inextricably linked to the community of academic support you receive in your studies from the community as a whole. To miss the Celebration is really to miss the aim of the College: to think critically, act responsibly, lead effectively, and live humanely. Actively engaging in the institutionalized processes that bring academics to the forefront of Wabash is what makes a Wabash man a Wabash Man. We came to school to receive
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The primary function of the Celebration is to bring the Wabash Community together.
of academic support provided by Wabash) provides Wabash students with the experience of submitting and presenting research in an academic setting without the pressures of an unknown national audience. The Celebration is broken down into two categories: posters and presentations. Posters are generally utilized for Division I presentations, with infographics and brief summaries of data points being expounded upon by the student researchers (often in groups). Presentations are fifteen minute oral speeches given on a particular body of research (often individual) with a five minute question
Body attends the Celebration, nor is it really even why I attended my first Celebration in January of 2015. The primary function of the Celebration is to bring the Wabash Community together. How many times has one heard the inevitable chastising of a fraternity brother or roommate by someone whose presentation was missed, despite multiple promises to the contrary? How many times has one gotten their hopes up for the chance occasion not to have an assignment due over the class period on Friday, only to find out that you have to write a summary of a poster and presentation
an education: everything else is an additional factor to creating the types of people we work to be. Encouraging each other to gather at the Lilly Library for a studying session, to write that paper a few days earlier than planned and bring it to the Writing Center for evaluation, to go to the student tutors at the Quantitative Skills Center, to attend a Colloquium in a field that you’re not familiar with, all of these things and more bring us as a community closer together and closer to the ideals and promises set forth to us in our decision to make ourselves the best men that we can be: Wabash men.
The Wabash Commentary - 5
R u m i n at i o n
The Pitfalls of EQ
B y B rennan D avenport | bcdavenp 19@ wabash . edu If you will, prepare yourself for a mental journey. Take a seat down by our fire, made by badly translated copies of Gilgamesh and enrollment propaganda pamphlets. Join us and be consumed by the pseudo-space which we call the EQ Zone. Enter the strange realm of freshmen who, after embarking on adventure seeking self-discovery and a wealth of knowledge through the expansion of the mind, found it better acquired recreationally. As we all know, there is a zoo’s worth of trouble in the jungle of the Enduring Questions curriculum. Halfway now through their sojourn, our neophytes have already tested their mettle against perhaps their greatest opponent in the curriculum: their own ideas. Merely by committing the acts of thought and voice, they are faced with the terrifying situation of others doing the exact same. Our tale today aims to aid whoever may face, now or in the future, the inherently existential zone of essential, Enduring Questions. Crossing the threshold into the EQ Zone, our Wabash freshmen will likely experience a symptom akin to vertigo. A professor who they are unfamiliar with flings open a dread curio cabinet, revealing a syllabus and course goals drenched in vagary. They begin to trod the yellow brick road to the task’s end. This is where our journey through the tropes begins. The Budding Philosopher We see a plethora of people seated in the classroom: some eager some not quite so. Our first stop in the EQ Zone is the budding philosopher. This fine exhibition of human reason puts forth his first arguments, like a toddler learning how to walk. From his perch, he believes that his argument has not only mass, but also force. Unfortunately for him, Newtonian mechanics do not apply in the ideological food fight that is discussion. Our eyes see naught but an individual, a man who believes he has plumbed the depths of the individualistic meaning in Frankenstein, but is merely wandering the ruins of a mineshaft abandoned in high school. The Harlequin The next stop our train pulls into is that of the joker. Every class tends to have some form of harlequin, a jester, a person who doesn’t want to give up their social life in favor of a good conversation and intellectual development. Surprisingly though, many of these fine specimens can deliver poignant thought even on a difficult topic. If you encounter these people, encourage them to participate 6 - The Wabash Commentary
meaningfully. Remember, each “what are emotions?” or “is it though?” merely put a philosopher out of business and Socrates to death. Book Selection The specimens fleshed out, we cast our gaze on the scenery of the EQ Zone: a vast expanse of grazing pasture, books as cud for kine. However, our young calves’ digestion merely adds phlogiston. The ideas presented in the chosen literature can be covered by any 5th grade level sci-fi short story. Even for the rare good book, the course barely allows ample time for discussion on the ideas that it presents. Let’s go down the list of materials and see just what encounters Wabash has prepared for our intrepid young lads in the shallow depths of the EQ Zone. These pieces of literature and art are intended to put forth the lauded “Enduring Questions.” 1. Frankenstein, Mary Shelly – Most of us read this one in high school. Dr. Frankenstein’s creation, after being shunned by Frankenstein himself, comes back to haunt his creator out of spite. Analyses usually run along the lines of racism, loneliness, and the wannabe god smiting without mercy. The lesson: be a good parent, don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t beat the wife and kids, and feed the dog. 2. Gilgamesh–The adventures of Monarch-Man and his sidekick Gorilla-Boy. This fossilized curio practically begs for a better translation than something slapped together in a game of darts, words written in Crayola crayon as targets. Plagiarism from Google translate and academic cuneiform translators aside, this jury-rigged bastardization of a novel was best suited for a back-alley bootleg rather than the classrooms of Wabash College. 3. The Other Wes Moore– The Law of Elvis Impersonators states that there are at least 40 people in the world that share a similar, if not near identical, face to the original King. By extension of this law, at least 40 people share a similar, if not near identical, name to you. How this is meant to boggle the mind boggles the mind. 4. Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons– We have little bad to say about this. It’s a legitimately deep read that challenges the stereotypes and then-thought mainstays of comic book writing, while developing intense psychological profiles of the characters. Further, the post-Vietnam war setting incites relevant questions of the contemporary world’s affairs. This bounty, and all it may offer, is neglected by reading Ozymandias and moving on.
5. The Traditions We Inherit– At this institution, as a liberal arts college, it is intended to promote free thought. However, with this material we have free thought as handpicked by the college. While freshmen do not at the present moment have an invested love for Wabash— akin to that of older students and alumni— The College cherrypicks sections that show “how you should feel” about Wabash. Revisit this book at a later date. You can’t develop a deep reverence in the same time it takes you read this “book” the night before discussion. Class Discussion We now move to argumentative strategies, the essential tools in every debater, philosopher, high-level scientist, and presidential candidate’s toolbox. Some effective, some outright useless, and some that don’t need to be present in the classroom. One of the first argumentative tactics that we see in EQ is that of the “devil’s advocate.” This technique is lauded among methods listed on the pamphlet gifted to newly minted Freshman Tutorial graduates. Regardless of its origins, it is an effective tool at stirring the eversimmering pot of chaos underneath every attendee in the classroom. While some ridicule may be inbound to the user, the technique can bring to light differing opinions, or even opinions the individual may not know they had. Alternatively, if the user cannot be the Light-Bringer, set the fire, let others fan it, and watch it burn. Onward and downward. Among the many flying monkeys of logical fallacies found in the argumentative scene of EQ, some semblance of a conclusion can be found before moving on to the next point the professor puts forth. However, much like the man who was sat next to the most neutral relatives at the wedding reception, currently yelling about politics, there is a point where one must recognize the need to stop. A vestigial statement placed tactlessly at the end of a productive dialogue succeeds not only in wasting class time, but also taking steps closer to the oncoming storm of nauseous illogical implosion. Finishing off this short list of strategy is something we like to call the “Sacagawea,” for when given a chance between starting an original thought and piggybacking off of someone else’s, the opportunistic student will likely
pick the latter. Piggybacking, while apt in some contexts, can generally be boiled down to taking someone else’s argument and making it your own. Much like the child who spent the whole expedition wrapped to its mother’s back, the parasitic piggy-backer clings to the arguments of other more insightful students. Basically, it’s a workaround for thinking too hard. We’re not mad, we’re just disappointed. EQ, and its goals To finish, we must take a good long look at the course goals of EQ and its touted questions. We have seen EQ as a breeding ground for some of the worst arguments that Wabash freshmen may confront or endure. However, in these instances, we seldom take a step back and ask ourselves whether they could have been averted in the first place, or, at the very least, get someone to step in and encourage the student to learn from his mistakes. The seeds of logical ineptitude are allowed to sit and grow in EQ. We as men of Wabash should hold ourselves to a higher standard: a standard of better quality than to simply take someone else’s argument and make it our own, to play the devil’s advocate for the sake of making the pot bubble over, or even to feign knowledge without true comprehension. Let us ask ourselves, do we let this course define how we think? EQ’s course goals state they have intent to “foster foundational intellectual skills inherent in critical thinking.” Among these skills are reading, writing, and discussion. What we have seen, however, is that EQ presents us sub-par opportunities for analytical reading, a lackluster ability to aid the creative writer, and non-substantive deliberation. Is it too much to ask for more substance? We will literally take physical substance at this point. Ultimately, we need to consider what progress can be made in this situation: do we change the questions that the course asks of its students, or the questions that students ask each other? The possibility exists that we can better the system to harbor an improved learning environment for its students. However, the problems that arise now will arise again if the players are still present. It’s getting a new coat of paint on the car versus fixing the engine. If it’s all the same to you, we plan to fix this engine.
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Embargo
How To Be A Gentleman Cigar Smoking and You
B y J ared C ottingham ‘18 | jtcottin 18@ wabash . edu With respect to the anti-smoking laws and the fear culture that surrounds tobacco as of late, the cigar has received a great deal of bad publicity. For those of you who are adamantly against indulging in the sacred leaf, I won’t attempt to convince you otherwise or to sway your health practices. For those who are on the fence, I may perhaps shed a bit of light on the subject. Tobacco has been a part of Western culture since Columbus dug his boots into the fertile soil of the New World. As H. Paul Jeffers and Kevin Gordon point out in their book, The Good Cigar, the modern form of the cigar etymologically and physically traces its roots back to an ancient Mayan verb that was adapted by the Spaniards into the noun, cigarro. The two authors point out that the cigar becoming as popular as it did was mere luck, as the European culture relied primarily on the pipe as their smoking medium. I’ll spare you the specifics of the physical evolution of the cigar. However, it is vital to understand that the cigar itself is an example of a truly artisanal product. A handmade cigar goes through a series of extraordinarily detailed and tedious steps before it makes its way into your local or personal cigar shop or humidor. A fine cigar represents often a lifetime’s worth of work by any tobacconist or grower: One that is meant to be savored. From the great gentleman of history, such as Winston Churchill and John Glenn, to the world’s finest artistic and literary figures, such as Franz Liszt, Ernest Hemingway, Maurice Ravel, and Samuel Clemens; Cigars have
8 - The Wabash Commentary
played a pivotal role in the practice of deliberation and relaxation. I have often found that nothing accompanies an intellectual discussion nor a quiet, solitary evening quite like a fine cigar. Cigars also serve as the perfect celebration for the birth of a child, marriage, engagement, or, really, any important life event. Additionally, cigars go well with many recreational avenues. You’ll frequently find me walking down the fairway with a cigar in the summertime. Furthermore, cigar smoking is a highly sociable hobby. A few friends and some good cigars will always make for a memorable evening. If you so feel inclined, and if you are of age— a nice red wine, scotch whiskey, or aged rum will pair well your cigar. Simply attempt to adjust for the body of the cigar and spirit adequately. For example, a full-bodied smoke would pair extremely well with a fullbodied single-malt, such as Laphroaig 10-year or Lagavulin. For mediumbodied smokes and lower, select a dram of something in the middle of the field. Any drink that is more full-bodied, in this case, will likely overshadow some of the intricacies of the tobacco. Do not be fooled by the shade of the wrapper in determining the body of the cigar. A darker maduro wrapper does not always indicate that the cigar is full-bodied. A lighter, Connecticut shade wrapper likewise does not always indicate a medium bodied smoke. It’s all what’s inside the wrapper, so consult your tobacconist or the home page of your selected brand for determining the body of the smoke. Luckily, the local smoke shop has a fairly good selection of handmade
cigars suitable for any palette if you choose to indulge, and they are fairly priced. When selecting the size of a cigar, opt for a ring gauge that is neither smallishly cartoonish or liable to make you pass out. Choose a corona or robusto if you’d like a medium-sized smoke. If you’d like a long smoke, a churchill will always be your best bet. I usually reach for a pyramide or churchill, myself. However, regardless of size, always pick a smoke that suits your taste, and try to avoid novelty. Cigar smoking is something for you to enjoy, not to make a spectacle. When choosing a cigar for the first time, try to consult your local tobacconist for recommendations based on your taste preferences. In the absence of a tobacconist, turning to a copy of Cigar Aficionado is never a poor choice. My current favorite cigar, La Boheme, is made by Boutique Blends and Rafael Nodal. The cigar is a medium-bodied smoke that pairs well with just about everything. Try a glass of wine with your cigar before dinner, or perhaps a dram of cognac or brandy after your meal. The La Boheme comes in four styles, each named after a character from Puccini’s opera. If you are just starting out, you simply cannot go wrong with an Ashton Classic. If Churchill is your man, his namesake style made by Ashton is sublime. The Virgin Sun Grown Ashton may better suit smokers who enjoy a more fullbodied cigar. After you’ve made your selection, be sure you purchase a quality cigar cutter, as you do not wish to rustle or unravel the wrapper. Make a deliberate,
precise cut just above the cap of the cigar head. A poor cut could result in a tight draw or the unravelling of the wrapper, depending on the degree of your folly. After some practice, you’ll be able to cut your cigar for your preferred draw. In regards to lighting options, cedar chips, wooden matches, or perhaps a butane lighter are your best bet. If you go with matches, be sure they are wooden, as these provide the most thorough light. Wood matches won’t sully the flavor of your cigar, so you won’t have wasted any money on a fine cigar by tarnishing it with a poor lighting method. If you do not plan to smoke your cigar immediately after you make your purchase, ensure that you provide sufficient humidity to keep your cigar its best. Humidors are often expensive and impractical for the occasional smoker, but of great importance to any proclaimed aficionado. I would recommend Boveda humidity packs to really anyone. Simply place the packet into a sealable bag or container, add your cigar, and the packet will keep the cigar its best. Be sure to replace the packet when it begins to harden, as it will no longer be providing the best conditions for your cigars. When you do choose to indulge,
perhaps the most important aspect is where and when. As a gentleman, be sure not to offend your constituents by lighting up anywhere it would be impolite or unwelcome. Always be sure to ask if any hosts allow cigar smoking, and if so, make certain that the smoke of your cigar is contained and inoffensive. If you cannot do so, simply step outside or put away your cigar for later use. Whether you choose to become a cigar connoisseur, remain a recreational indulger, or continue to refrain, it is important to always remember that cigar smoking is meant to be enjoyed and savored—both at the proper time and without judgement. Regardless of how you smoke them, your preferred brand or style, or the individuals you choose to share your time with, I have found that a good cigar will always enhance
an experience and the memories surrounding it. As Winston Churchill so eloquently put it, “Smoking cigars is like falling in love. First you are attracted by its shape; you stay for its flavor, and you must always remember never, never to let the flame go out!”
Top: Chart of common cigar types, 1/2 scale; Bottom: To-scale chart of Thicknesses.
The Wabash Commentary - 9
Your Own Personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers, Someone who cares. thewabashcommentary.org/contactus 10 - The Wabash Commentary
ANGRY
about the election?
HAPPY? GET SMARTER. GET INVOLVED.
Master of Public Policy Application Deadline is May 1 Malibu, California
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Bounced
Privilege Check! Flowchart Like A Gentleman
B y TWC S taff
Do you go to Wabash?
Yes! Are you male?
No!
Explain.
No! Your flowchart may differ
Yes! Can you construe yourself as a minority?
No!
Do you co-opt their cause ? (Are you a “sympathizer”?)
Yes!
No!
Yes! Do you feel oppressed and underprivileged?
You know what to do.
Do you feel compelled to check your privilege?
Don’t 12 - The Wabash Commentary
A lt e r n at i v es
Skepticism
A Call for (Delayed) Judgement
B y J ohn N ewton | jrnewton 18@ wabash . edu Maybe I’m a case of “a guy who just started paying attention,” but it seems to me that the past year or so has brought with it a wave of halftruths and forced many to take sides based on shaky information. I can’t tell if it’s getting worse, but I’m doing what I can to keep my feet planted on what I can believe with a reasonable degree of certainty. Of course, the ground is always shifting, and I would like to encourage my fellow Wabash men to
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given issue and then decide what we believe, independent of affiliations or biases. Of course, it isn’t always possible to have done the research on a topic before discussing it. In these instances, I believe one can readily rely on respectful skepticism. That is to say, there is nothing wrong with doubting a person’s stance on an issue, and that it is possible to do so without asserting that the person’s belief is inherently false.
challenging our own beliefs. In many cases, it’s an uncomfortable process, but that discomfort means that it’s working. Whether that process is done through seeking differing voices online or through discourse with a professor or a fellow student, each instance is a step toward a better understanding. Aristotle once said, “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” I believe we should try to live by
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In addition to skepticism, we should maintain a willingness to see things from another perspective
join me in embracing a certain degree of skepticism. To be clear, I don’t claim to be immune to criticism. I know I have believed things to be true which were either provably false or at least debatable, so I don’t intend to point the finger at anyone else. Instead, I would like to offer my thoughts on how best to go about forming an opinion, debating a differing one, and maintaining a mind that is open to change. The realm of politics is the most obvious area in which skepticism is a valuable trait. In instances where neither side can be proven correct, we’re left to make a judgment call on whom to believe. I feel that often these grey-area decisions are made along party lines, and this is the kind of decision-making that I suggest goes contrary to our mission to be critical thinkers. To the best of our ability, we should research what we can on a
In addition to skepticism, we should maintain a willingness to see things from another perspective so as to better understand a differing opinion. I believe that it is important to recognize when an objective truth cannot be reached, and in these instances to respect opinions with which we don’t agree, assuming that they can be supported. Even in these instances, it can be a healthy exercise to discuss the issue with someone who holds a different view. The ability to do so respectfully is one of the few qualities that comes to mind when I imagine what it means to be a “Wabash Man” – whatever that might look like. In my mind, the college experience is about far more than academics; it is about finding out who we really are and what we really think. It is in this definitive time in our lives when I believe we should be most open to
these words when faced with opinions that differ from our own, and we cannot do this if we have demonized those not in alignment with our own views. It can be difficult, and I’m not proud to admit that I’ve acted in ways contrary to these words before, but that shouldn’t stop me from trying to take a different approach in the future. I believe that there is no shame in making mistakes if we are willing to learn from them and that there is no shame in changing our beliefs if we can’t honestly justify them. Rather, we can practice humility and, therefore, gain a better understanding of the world around us and of ourselves.
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Naivete
I Thought So, Too
B y N athan H ubert ‘20 | nthubert 20@ wabash . edu Last November marked two major events for Wabash students: the 123rd installment of the Monon Bell Classic, and the election of the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump. The big loss of the day was considered to be our Little Giant’s 34-37 loss to the Dannies, preventing an 8-year winning streak, but the real loss our proud college suffered that day was far greater than that. I suppose cultural awareness is a thing to strive for, but printing shirts that depict the President-elect donning Wally Wabash’s suspenders, including a rather inappropriate quote comparing the DePauw Tigers to female genitalia, isn’t really the way to go. While it is obvious that the blockheads who created these shirts get all of their news from the headlines of snapchat stories, and their political opinions are based off whomever else is in the room, I doubt that advertising these facts is a good idea. All joking aside, I do think that this was a rather poor choice on their behalf. I brought a friend with me to the game, and when a student wearing one of these shirts sat down a few seats in front of us, my friend turned to me and said quite innocently, “I thought you guys were supposed to be gentlemen.” So did I. The question of why I chose to apply to Wabash can be answered with a quote taken from a conversation with alumnus Patrick Kvachkoff ’15, in which his response to asking why I should attend the college was “because Wabash makes men consider what it means to be a man.” For the majority of my first semester, this statement stood firmly, and I was quite content here. Imagine then my surprise when one simple incident such as the Donald 14 - The Wabash Commentary
Trump Monon shirts made me take a step back and question all my thoughts on the matter. How could a school claim to mould men when some of its students can’t tell a good decision from a bad one? Those determined to argue this issue into oblivion might claim that these students were “still in the process of becoming men,” but that doesn’t change the fact that these students chose to represent Wabash in this disrespectful manner. Wabash, according to its creed, governs itself under one simple rule: the Gentleman’s Rule. For the sake of repetition, the rule states that “the student is expected to conduct himself at all times, both on and off campus, as a gentleman and a responsible citizen.” When any student represents Wabash, whether it be by attending a Wabash event or wearing Wabash regalia, he becomes just that: a representation of The College. Now I could sit here and write about how the people responsible should’ve known better than to do something as stupid as this, but the simple fact is that we’re adults, and we need to start acting as such. Wabash claims to graduate men, and it is the duty of each and every student to back up this claim. My faith in the school was soon redeemed in the form of an emergency Chapel Talk in which student body president Andrew Powell took a brief moment to give his thoughts on the issue. Seeing a student take the initiative to address the student body in the way that he did was inspiring, and he actually gave sound words that really dug deep into what it means to be a man of Wabash. Powell began by saying that the chapel talk would not end discussion
about this manner. Part of being a true man is acknowledging and learning from mistakes, and as ashamed as the Wabash community felt about the Monon T-shirts, it’s important to remember the lesson that was learned. “When one or several members of an organization mess up, we are all seen to have messed up,” Powell said, again showing, that as a man of Wabash we are all called to represent The College as a whole. Through our victories as well as our defeats, we are all a part of the Wabash community. On a larger scale, we are all human. Humans are known for making mistakes. It is impossible to live an entire lifetime and not mess up; it’s all a part of living life, and as Powell pointed out, there are no guide books on how to deal with situations such as this. The important take-away is that each mistake yields to a better understanding of how to represent both Wabash and ourselves in the appropriate and respectful manner. So what lesson can be learned from this whole T-shirt fiasco? I suppose that we all learned that common sense isn’t always as common as we’d like to think. The main lesson we learned came from the reaction of the student body. The men of Wabash took action to solve the problem. This showed the public that this Wabash, the Wabash in which this sort of behavior is acceptable, is not our Wabash. Andrew said it best, saying that the students of Wabash have the power to “lead each other towards creating a Wabash that we all can love.” So, to my friend I know I can proudly say that “yes, we here at Wabash are gentlemen.”
Parody
Lexicon Liberandum A Vocabulary B y TWC S taff
All Male, Adj., 1. A modern day example of the Patriarchy, in all things up to and including restrooms. 2. Inherently sexist. Art, Noun, See Noun. Chivalry, Noun, 1. Dead. 2. An archaic form of the systemic oppression of females, propagated by the Patriarchy. Clinton, Noun, 1. #MyPresident 2. See Liberal Consent, Noun, Something you cannot give. Verb, To profess internalized *isms. Conservative, Adj., See Nazi. Constitution, Noun, 1. The heartiness of a thing. 2. Irrelevant document. Double Standard, Noun, 1. If it’s good for me, it’s good for you. 2. If it’s good for you, it’s not good for me. Electoral College, Noun, An instrument used to oppress cities. Gender, Noun, See Noun. Grievance Politics, Noun, The ideal form of political operation.
Harry Potter, Noun, The ultimate metaphor for all political happenings. History, Noun, Intrinsically revisionist in nature, exclusively for the purpose of promoting your own sociopolitical views. Immigrate, Verb, 1. To move from one place to another. 2. To improve unconditionally. Law Enforcement, Noun, A wholly and inherently brutish social construct designed to harm and debilitate. Lens, Noun, Something to cloud vision. Liberal, Adj., 1. An objectively ideal moral and academic way of thought. 2. Superior to all others that are not like you. But not in a discriminatory way. Unless you’re a conservative. Nazi, Noun, Those who are right of left of center. Oppress, Verb, 1. To weigh down. 2. To be different than. Poetry, Noun, 1. If it’s not white, it’s right. 2. See Art.
Religion, Noun, A system of belief revolving around a God or gods. Any and all are acceptable, so long as they are well within the minority. Safe Space, Noun, An area in which only I am free to talk about whatever I want. No one else. Semantics, Noun, 1. The tactic of redefining words in academia to stop their use. 2. See Racism, Domestic Violence, Sexual Harassment, etc. Title IX, Noun, A way of fighting back against both your regrets from last night as well as systemic sexism. Trump, Noun, 1. #NotMyPresident 2. See Conservative. Vampire, Noun, An entity created to steal your life force. See Conservative. Zombie, Noun, Mindless drone intent only on killing. See Law Enforcement. 1984, Noun, A novel by Orwell which does not depict a leftist dystopia.
Privilege, Noun, 1. Guilt.
The Wabash Commentary - 15
Cunning Theft! The Dannies have stolen the College seal out from the library floor! You have only the time to choose one companion on the journey to retrieve it. Choose carefully: each expects something in return.
B Dr. Makubiak
Divad B. Slix
A foul by-product of an Egyptian curse received during a joint pyramid exploration, their frightening form and considerable rage could prove a powerful ally.
He radiates an aura of active enmity for man, and he constantly asserts incorrect solutions to koans. Still, the Way of Heaven is its own reflection, so perhaps his abilities They will demand the are not diminished. flower of your youth be Whether Chinese spent seeking out the thaumaturgy can help is knowledge necessary to up to you. undo their terrible curse. A very literal understanding of ‘yoga’ drives him to unite with Dr. Blix. The resulting matter-antimatter annihilation will heavily irradiate you.
COMMENTARY THE WABASH
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Rich Woods
Bachelor Staff
He always gets his man. Can you take the risk of the culprit being a woman?
Many bodies can do many things, but with King Hewitt gone, you are unsure of how focused and directable The undercover work he these worker bees can will ask of you will be be. difficult, and you recall that some people are Karma says the more apt to pay Judas in association is cost lead than in silver. enough.
EQ Platonic Form of EQ You’re sure the professoriat that dreamt up EQ had the best intentions, and so this form is a bastion of good for Wabash Men. Unfortunately, physicality is flawed. You mostly seem to be getting help in the form of poorly translated Sumerian blessings. It demands of you a queen! Not dark, but beautiful and terrible as the dawn! All shall love her, and despair of plagiarism!
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