This year, humanities 202 read a dystopian novel called “1984.” In this novel, the main character, Winston Smith, worked for the ministry of “truth” correcting errors in past publications. What this really meant is that he worked for the power called “Big Brother” covering up historical events so that they supported the image “Big Brother” wanted the nation to see.
This became real for me when I found out that The Stampede was being similarly redacted to please our campus’ “Big Brother.”
When an article came out on March 2, 2018, titled “Milligan pride on and off the field,” The Stampede changed the online headline to “Pride on and off the field,” presumably to appease Milligan administration and donors of the school. Although the difference is subtle, the message is clear: Milligan will not be associated with pride in our LGBTQ students.
Milligan, like Oceana, is a world controlled by “Big Brother.” Milligan is not allowed to possess pride on and off the field, because “Big Brother” says encouraging these attitudes promotes sin culture.
Forget if students ARE proud. Forget if Milligan has LGBTQ students.
In “1984” Orwell states, “Orthodoxy means not thinking — not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness.”
We as a campus have chosen not to think about how we neglect LGBTQ students. We demonstrate orthodoxy to Milligan by turning a blind eye to students. We are so afraid of questioning authority that we engage in doublethink and successfully forget we are forgetting to question the rules.
Even if we did decide to question the rules, how could we? In my many readings of the student handbook, I have found much of what it says incredibly ambiguous:
“In accordance with the college’s ‘Statement Concerning Human Sexuality,’ any form of sexual immorality is prohibited. Milligan College expects and challenges all members of its community to fulfill God’s intention for appropriate sexual expression. The College provides appropriate guidance and support in encouraging persons to achieve this ideal, considering all circumstances relevant to a particular situation and responding in a manner that is most consistent with its mission as a Christian institution.”
When seeking clarity most of the feedback I have received has said the handbook is purposely ambiguous so situations can be judged on a case-by-case basis. This, however, allows prejudice to seep into judgments instead of keeping them impartial. It also keeps students living in fear of a handbook they don’t understand and are unable to receive real clarity on.
According to “1984,” “Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.”
My questions to the students of Milligan are these: Do you like the laws we live under? Will you dare to become conscious and critical of the double standards and ambiguous laws with which we are governed, using your liberal arts education to actually examine the school around you? Is it time for Milligan to stand for students instead of “Big Brother”?
Editor’s Note: The previously published article’s headline was changed for accuracy.