Dancing with the Devil
This past weekend, Wheelwright Hall held its annual dance, Wheelwright White-out, with the expectations for a large turn-out and a positive response to music since the early 2000’s. Those who did go to the dance were highly disappointed by the lack of energy and, as the spirits seemed to finally lift in the last 40 minutes of the dance, there was an abrupt cutting of the music and the ultimate decision to end the dance early. Attendees most obviously left in frustration with the majority not understanding the true reason for ending the dance so early.
What frustrated me was that the attendees were unaware that the reason why the dance was cut short wasn’t because of the “mosh pit” that kept forming despite the DJ’s warnings, but rather because of safety reasons. Perhaps it wasn’t made clear enough, but when the crowd would get closer to the speaker stands next to the DJ’s station, the speakers were in danger of falling and potentially injuring a student.
Rather than making that as a public statement on Facebook, my newsfeed had posts that apologized for Wheelwright White-out, saying “sorry” for cutting the dance short, just when the dance was picking up. I couldn’t help but wonder why there was the unspoken obligation for a Wheelwright member to apologize for something that was out of their personal control. There was nothing to be “sorry” about; it was the general crowd’s fault for not realizing that the DJ wasn’t trying to be a mood killer and simply break up the mosh pit. It was more than that—it was a matter of safety and backing up those few feet in order to prevent a medical emergency. If the faculty, the DJ or the security guards were truly looking to “ruin our fun,” they would never have organized such casual dances at this school in the first place.
After a faculty member at the end of Wheelwright White-out did express disappointment at students’ conduct at the dance, it was understandable for many attendees to show their distaste by hissing or cursing because it was an involuntary response. However, it did remind me that it is already recognized by faculty and students alike that there is a large controversy about the uncomfortably intimate interactions a dance can lead to. The differences in opinions on this matter range from simplistic recognition to disgust and only further solidify that there needs to be clarification for the student body. What is considered as acceptable conduct at a dance? Why should the crowd have to mind the distance between them and the DJ? Without addressing those questions being addressed, it can only lead to more misunderstanding and frustrations toward faculty members and eventually lead to the unfortunate “student vs. faculty” mentality.
It is plain ignorant for us as a student body to fail to recognize faculty members’ comments on our indecency at school dances. Sure, a lot of students gravitate towards the “middle” while others may like to stay in the back with smaller groups of friends to dance the night away, but we should still be conscious of where we are, who we are. There are teachers who we see in class every day and security guards who we see walking around on campus along the sides of those walls as people grind or writhe to a beat. In the moment it can be exhilarating, but it makes me curious what the faculty think when they see this side of us. Teachers are humans as well; they are going to form biases and profile their students both in class and outside. When they see that student they thought was intellectually acute dancing in such close proximities with another student of theirs, what could they possibly think? It would be plain ignorant to not realize that the image that you have at a dance will be a part of your character profile within a teacher’s mind.
Personally, I believe that is both a blessing and a curse while attending a boarding school. As students, we have the automatic mentality that we should be active participants within discussions and be that model student that the teacher loves. But what happens after those 50 minutes runs out? Do we continue that facade of being that goody two-shoes or the nerd of that class? Or do we continue as one of the many supporting actors in the tragic comedy entitled “Life?” ♥