It is decidedly too cold for all but the most stoic types to spend more time than is absolutely necessary outside. Nevertheless, I love the cold if for no other reason than that if forces one into hibernation, and thereby reflection.
I often hear students lamenting the fact that they feel so “out of it” and have no clue what is happening in the news. Fortunately, it is often quite easy to stay current without sabotaging one’s social life. Pick up a newspaper and read it while you work out. Watch the morning news while you brush your teeth – as geeky as it sounds – you may actually get hooked. Turn down your stereo for five minute and find out what is happening in the world.
The goal is to develop a sense of conscientious awareness. As you learn more about local, national and global news, you will inadvertently become a more conscientious person. You may discover that your Congressional representatives are considering putting a tax on e-mail, as Al Heavens discusses in his piece entitled, “Taxing e-mail? …What will liberals think of next?” or hear another person’s idea for reform, such as the motion to redefine feminism, which is made in the article, “Feminism must be redefined.”
I did a bit of my own thinking during this hibernating season, as I researched the concern of body image on the St. Thomas Campus. I had the good fortune of meeting Angela Flatgard, a UST senior and psychology minor who did some very extensive research on body image and eating habits on campus during the fall of 2002. Her study was incredibly well-planned and its results are thought-provoking.
While the body images and eating habits of women were the focus of her study, it raises important questions for everyone in the St. Thomas community and even in society at large. Unfortunately, we must put our own mindset in perspective before we can change unhealthy stereotypes on our campus or in the general community. I challenge you to read this headline story with this question in mind: Do your words and actions perpetuate the media’s obsession with the “perfect” body?
And, while I’m on the awareness bandwagon, I’ll let you know that if you keep your eyes open, you may actually see some real, live vandalism right here on campus. Many of you may have wondered whether or not the last issue of the St. Thomas Standard came out. It was published and distributed around campus during the last week of classes in December; however, thanks to several cases of “paper-snatching,” more issues may have hit the recycling bin than the hands of St. Thomas readers. Fortunately, if we take a few steps to keep ourselves alert and informed of our surroundings, such acts of spineless violence will not be repeated.