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Things: An Interdisciplinary Symposium

Part I
Greg McGlone '03

On Jan. 30, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences presented "Things: An Interdisciplinary Symposium." The Rev Kail C. Ellis, O.S.A., opened the event with a brief talk. "The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the place to develop and to promote interdisciplinary studies and the program here certainly shows that," said Ellis.

The first speaker was Dr. Judith Hadley of the theology and religious studies department. Her topic was "An Ancient Female Figurine."  "The heyday in Israel and Judah of most of these types of figurines is about the 14^th century B.C.. and pretty much stops once the Judean nation is destroyed in 587," said Hadley. She also spoke about how these types of figurines were available and accessible to all members of society.

The second speaker was Dr. Elizabeth Jewell of the Astronomy department. Her topic was "The Coke Bottle." She spoke about how the design of the coke bottle has changed very little and very subtly since its introduction. "This is how we will be known. Not the American century, not western civilization, but the Coke bottle culture," said Jewell.

The third speaker was Dr. Donna Shai of the sociology department. Her topic was "A Photograph."  She used a picture that a former sociology student took of a homeless women, and spoke about various subjects regarding the photograph. "Ideally, a photograph shows us something that we can see, but we don't notice. I think that especially in this subject of homeless women that its so tempting when we see something that is really painful is to avert our eyes. So we see it, but we don't pay attention to it," said Shai.

Part II
Kevin Maher

Briefly introduced by Dr. Seth Koven, the second segment of the symposium involved "The Stuff of Writing." Dr. Lauren Shohet opened with her discussion of "The Book." Offering the Roger E. Stoddard quote, "Whatever they may do, authors do not write books," as a starting point, Shohet spoke of the book as a material object.  She reminded that the writer may create the text, but that an entire process is involved in crafting this text into the form that the reader receives. To highlight the material importance of the book, Shohet mentioned the varying perceptions of the same book based on its cover type and design.

Dr. Chiji Akoma followed with "Ink," a look at the existential use of ink beyond its physical utility. Using the act of writing as an example, Akoma insisted that every contact with ink is a ceremony of sorts. He pointed out that even in our time of technological advancement; ink remains an important aspect of a person's identity, specifically in the case of footprints and fingerprints.

In "A Box of Poems," Dr. Lucy McDiarmid described a brotherhood of poets recognizing their respected patriarch, W.S. Blunt, through the formal act of presenting him with a box of their collected works.

Part III
Michael Williams '04

The final topic of the three-hour event, "Politics of the Ordinary," explored how objects as simple as hair, handkerchiefs and rooms can be doorways to much greater political and cultural issues.

Symbolism, materiality, socio-ritual and economic practices are all medium for the creation of "powerful" identities and relations. This statement holds true in the African-American community in reference to the afro comb and hair. In his discussion, titled "The Afro Comb and the Politics of Hair" Dr. Lawrence Little aided the audience in exploring the sociopolitical implications of black hair and hair care products.

"How you wore your hair [was] part of who you were," said Dr. Little in reference to the changing meaning of hair in the black community. There was a time when as an African American, wearing your hair natural as opposed to wearing it straightened through the use of chemicals (i.e. lye) was a political statement. Natural black hair and the tools used to groom it, such as the afro pick with the closed fist symbolizing black power, were statements of individuality, cultural identity and social defiance all at the same time. They were symbols of pride and membership that found their roots in the different tribes of the African continent, and they sought to challenge the Caucasian concepts of aesthetics that permeated American society.

Today, less attention is paid to the social implications of hairstyle in the black community and the community at large, concurrently more emphasis is placed on fashion statements than political statements. However, it is important to note that the way one wears their hair is an important part of any individual's personal identity and physical presentation, so next time you get ready in the morning, ask yourself what your hairdo is doing for you.

Following Dr. Little's discourse was a discussion about the Minnesota Twins' "Homer Hanky," made famous during the Twins' playoff run in 1987. Dr. Paul Steege led those in attendance in a treatise on how things such as an object showing support for a team or group, can unwittingly subordinate individuals into a collective mentality with his lecture titled "The 1987 Minnesota Twins Homer Hanky."

The Homer Hanky was first introduced during the Twins' championship run in September 1987. The hanky immediately became a hallmark for rabid Minnesota fans as they cheered their team to its first ever World Series championship over the St. Louis Cardinals.

An interesting conversation arose out of the question and answer session when Dr. Steege was asked to elaborate on the selection of a handkerchief as a symbol of unity and uniformity because of its typical association to bodily discharge and germs. To which he replied, "The 'homer hanky,' much like the 'terrible towel' of [Pittsburgh] Steelers tradition was chosen as a symbol for alliteration purposes. I am sure it was no coincidence that the 'homer hanky' was made famous in Hubert H. Humphrey Park.

The program culminated with Dr. Charlene Mires' talk titled "Upstairs at Independence Hall," a discussion about the changing state of the room above the site of the historical signing of both the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. She highlighted the changing state of this room under the various influences that inhabited it on a regular basis from the Daughters of the Revolution to the founders of our nation. She emphasized that "things are not what they seem," and profoundly concluded the entire symposium saying, "the reason that things in and of themselves are important, is because they allow us to save particular memories." Memories will never die and history will continue to be revised as long as we continue to find the things that contribute so much meaning to daily life.