2008 Woodie Awards
Creating and maintaining space for conversations
Reflecting on a year of finding spaces at Macalester to challenge others, engage in discussion, and learn from each other.
By: Tinbete Ermyas
Issue date: 4/28/06 Section: Opinion
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When my eleventh grade physics teacher told our class “Space was the place” I had no idea what she was talking about. I knew that she probably in her own crazy way, thought that we should all leave this earth and move to Space as a means to escape the ills that plague our world—or maybe she just really liked the way that Space and place rhymed. Whatever the reason, I'm sure she thought her theories were out of this world.
But reminiscing on my high school years has really made my think about space and Macalester—namely the spaces that I occupy. Contemplating the idea of space at Macalester made me think about the Cultural House and what an important part of my experience it has been here.
Why, you ask, has it been so vital to my Macalester experience? Well, because it is the one place that I (and many others) feel comfortable talking about difficult issues ranging from identity development on college campuses to the implications of Angelina Jolie's Oscar dress.
But aside from the conversations that have occurred within this space, I also acknowledge that the Cultural House is an important space to do programming through the Department of Multicultural Life. This year, the Department has revamped the C-House to a new level of being a safe space. The Department of Multicultural Life has really created and maintained community.
And for me that's out of this world.
But space doesn't necessarily have to be physical. This column, for example, has been a great way for me (and for the rest of the Macalester community, I hope) to engage issues of multiculturalism (or lack thereof) at Macalester.
Sure, my column hasn't always been perfect. And believe me, those of you who have thought so were sure to let me know. But my decision to take on this column was much like that of the Department of Multicultural Life taking over the Cultural House—not necessarily to make everyone happy, but to ensure that there is a conversation of multiculturalism happening.
But reminiscing on my high school years has really made my think about space and Macalester—namely the spaces that I occupy. Contemplating the idea of space at Macalester made me think about the Cultural House and what an important part of my experience it has been here.
Why, you ask, has it been so vital to my Macalester experience? Well, because it is the one place that I (and many others) feel comfortable talking about difficult issues ranging from identity development on college campuses to the implications of Angelina Jolie's Oscar dress.
But aside from the conversations that have occurred within this space, I also acknowledge that the Cultural House is an important space to do programming through the Department of Multicultural Life. This year, the Department has revamped the C-House to a new level of being a safe space. The Department of Multicultural Life has really created and maintained community.
And for me that's out of this world.
But space doesn't necessarily have to be physical. This column, for example, has been a great way for me (and for the rest of the Macalester community, I hope) to engage issues of multiculturalism (or lack thereof) at Macalester.
Sure, my column hasn't always been perfect. And believe me, those of you who have thought so were sure to let me know. But my decision to take on this column was much like that of the Department of Multicultural Life taking over the Cultural House—not necessarily to make everyone happy, but to ensure that there is a conversation of multiculturalism happening.
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