Asking that tricky little question
 | by Alice Stanley Staff writer |
Remember when you were a child and things were sometimes so unfair? You just wanted a cookie before dinner, or to ride your bike at night, or maybe all you desired was control of the remote for a lousy half hour. Life was hard then. You could never get what you wanted. Then, you learned a glorious word: WHY.
Rules are rules. Rules are meant to be bent. Rules are meant to be broken. The first rule of Fight Club – you get the idea. We all have our own concepts of what a rule is (usually depending on how it directly affects us). With rules, we can choose to embrace or divorce, break slightly or break boldly. Most importantly, we can ask WHY. If we love a rule, we ask why, and we love it more. If we hate a rule, we ask why, and we can start to understand its importance. Or, if we find a rule fundamentally wrong, we ask why, and we can argue.
Principia is certainly a community of rules. I wouldn’t say that is the first thing I consider when I consider Principia, but it is always somewhere in the forefront of my thought. That is what makes us so unique. Most students at Principia fundamentally appreciate at least one of our rules. For those of us who do not appreciate every rule, we can ask WHY. Why can’t I drink even though I’m 21? Oh, there are many ideas in Science and Health that promote a strictly sober lifestyle. Why can’t I have premarital sex? Again, a quick trip to Science and Health can give me some guidelines. Why must I abide by house hours? Although Mrs. Eddy never mentioned this particular policy, we can learn exactly why Principia finds this rule valuable based on a concise and thoughtful summation of arguments provided by OSL.
Even if I believe I should be free to get drunk, get it on, and get in a guy’s room at any time of day, I at least have the opposing arguments at my fingertips. When I debate any of the major Prin code of conduct rules with others, we can begin at the same point and identify what is strong and what is weak about each argument. From here we can rally for change in our institution or understand a new point of view. Everything seems peachy keen to me, but wait, what about that one little policy that has no visible foundation in Education at Principia, OSL, or even S&H?
Homosexuality is prohibited at Principia. All together now: WHY? I feel like I’m four again, reaching for that pre-supper Twinkie only to get a slap on the hand without explanation! If we must have a rule, we must have an explanation. And we need it now. Let me tell you WHY. Many students and faculty hope for a change in this policy, but no one can fight an argument that doesn’t exist. Meanwhile, students that appreciate our current policy might never have to consider the ideas behind their human opinion. Whether you agree or disagree with Principia’s policy, the concepts making homosexuality right or wrong will be educational for all.
Since Principia students gained free speech last year, we are now able to congregate and express our views on homosexuality. We cannot refute or defend homosexuality as long as Prin has such an ambiguous stand (read: no informed stand besides “not allowed”). I think it is crucial to get this squared away as soon as possible. When you think about it, it is ridiculous that we have had such a policy with no explanation for any time at all – let alone years!
If you care about this issue at all – pro or con – it is your duty to come forward and express such thoughts. By the time the trustees visit Principia in November, it would be ideal to have several viewpoints on the matter available. Students, faculty, staff, and outside community: please send any thoughts (such as why the homosexuality policy is right, why it is wrong, why it is confusing, why we need a statement of explanation, etc.) in a letter to Principia.Homosexuality@gmail.com. The letters will be compiled in confidentiallity to the trustees in hopes of immediate action. If you prefer, go ahead and send a letter directly to the trustees (contact information is available on the Principia website), but a community functions better with lots of diverse voices speaking together. Ask yourself WHY, and share what you find. We hope to get at least fifty letters by Nov. 1.
Thank so much you for bringing this up! It’s a start to recognize that healthy discourse on this issue is a necessary (and in no way scary) first step. It applies especially to the homosexuality issue, but also to any rules at Principia that are met with anger or thoughtless submission.
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