[Student Reporters] The Lawrenceville Community Discusses…'The Trouble with Traditions'

Ah Ra Yoo <10th, The Lawrenceville School>

On Monday November 31st the Lawrenceville students and faculty convened in the Kirby Arts Center for an all-school residential life program. This year's topic was "Language Respect and Political Correctness" discussing the nuances of our languages that we use everyday our cores and our means of relationships both with individuals and groups.

Mr. Daniell Dean of Residential Life led the introductory discussion and then students were broken up into groups to discuss the appropriate or acceptable times to use certain debatable terms.

The discussions aroused many other great questions such as: Is it by any means possible for a word to lose its original punch of denigrating connotation and are used in a completely innocuous way? Mary an 11th grade student stated "I think many students use the phrase "that's so gay" or even "that's so retarded" not being aware of what the term really means and today's activity was helpful in that it gave a moment for everyone to ponder the words they use in everyday life."

The debate heated up when these questions led to the discussion of those centuries old House traditions that the administration may have considered as "offense". Ms. Thomas Dean of Students said "The fact that the whole House engages in the activity shapes House pride and tradition. However whether or not it is house tradition this raises a sophisticated issue of what we consider certain traditions as house pride and as an abuse."

Meanwhile Will a 10th grade student received the oration of his House mates when he questioned how although there might be some debatable house traditions eradicating them completely may be taking the unique House bonding experience away. He said "Our school is built upon traditions. There might be both good and some controversial ones. However when the administration tries to eradicate those century old house traditions it might be taking away some of the bonding that makes the House system unique to Lawrenceville."

The thoughtful discussions contributed by the collaboration of students and faculty brought even the complex issues in consideration. Mr. Daniell concluded "We offer important opportunities to approach non-academic topics with the same critical eye and commitment to understanding that mark similar discussion in our History and Science classrooms."