The Echoes of Past Civics

While I was walking though the vast maze that is the Penn State Pattee and Paterno Libraries on Thursday, I could not help but feel a sense of awe. I was completely surrounded by the blending of past rhetors and civics, all of their past thoughts and ideas inscribed in the never-ending supply of books and resources. It was almost as if there was a faint calling, a whisper that challenged people to delve into the expanse of knowledge and better themselves .

 

 

One civic artifact that I encountered on my journey through the library that I found particularly interesting was a display left over from Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month. It contained a collection of posters representing the equality of everyone, all displaying the slogan “now, more than ever”. Of course the February date on the display slightly took away from the kairotic impact of the message, but the sense of a call to attention was still very present. These series of posters seemed to challenge the viewers to reflect on the past issues of racism and apply it to today in order to become better citizens. The display telling people to consider issues of racism now more than ever is a perfect example of a kairotic moment that can spark modern conversations on issues such as police brutality involving minorities.

 

martin

http://abcnews.go.com/US/things-make-dream-famous-speeches-history/story?id=20068795

we are

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/news/campus/article_ec87209e-5a46-11e4-9d2b-001a4bcf6878.html

This artifact was only one of many that I encountered during my time in the library and it made me think that the civic our library and also our campus is not only composed of the echoes of past civics and rhetors, but it is most evident in us, the community. We are the ones that make these displays, who bring up relevant issues, ignite conversations, and create the civic in our community. The library and its resources may be a guide in order to spark and support our civic discussions, but ultimately it is the movements and rhetoric of the Penn State community that delivers the civic aspect of our campus as a whole. That is why I believe the iconic “we are Penn State” chant is so relevant, because we embody one community whose  individuals strive to improve the whole. This overwhelming sense of identification not only formulates a civic aspect on campus, but also magnifies it to form something far greater than the sum of its parts.

7 thoughts on “The Echoes of Past Civics

  1. kem5833

    I am really glad to see that you were inspired during the library tour, it reflects in your blog post! The connection made between the Black History Month poster and the ‘We Are’ chant is quite interesting, and it provides one with a deeper appreciation for the morals behind the University. Perhaps “now, more than ever,” even though it is representing Black History Month, is representing a lot more. At Penn State, a saying such as “now, more than ever” can represent that the time and place, or kairos, is “now,” for students to become involved. I am looking forward to reading your post and hearing your take on RCL!

  2. Sienna D Mcnett

    I really love how deep your blog post was! Your comparison of the library to a “vast maze” was especially descriptive. Additionally, the photos that you added really emphasized your points. Your inclusion of the “We Are” chant and your take on Penn State’s civic community is also very strong, and I hope you continue to tie in campus related connections in future posts!

  3. Sienna D Mcnett

    I really love how deep your blog post was! Your comparison of the library to a “vast maze” was especially descriptive. Additionally, the photos that you added really emphasized your points. Your inclusion of the “We Are” chant and your take on Penn State’s civic community is also very strong, and I hope you continue to tie in campus related connections in future posts!

  4. Sienna D Mcnett

    I really love how deep your blog post was! Your comparison of the library to a “vast maze” was especially descriptive. Additionally, the photos that you added really emphasized your points. Your inclusion of the “We Are” chant and your take on Penn State’s civic community is also very strong, and I hope you continue to tie in campus related connections in future posts!

  5. Sienna D Mcnett

    I really love how deep your blog post was! Your comparison of the library to a “vast maze” was especially descriptive. Additionally, the photos that you added really emphasized your points. Your inclusion of the “We Are” chant and your take on Penn State’s civic community is also very strong, and I hope you continue to tie in campus related connections in future posts!

  6. ekh5175

    Tyler,

    Great post! It is so interesting to hear about the Black History Month remnants that you encountered, especially since I did not even notice this display on my own tour of the library! While I agree that the six month gap between February and our tour deems the display out of kairos, the topics are indeed still extremely relevant today. It is interesting that our own library encourages us to become involved in civil rights issues, while most people imagine it as simply being the stacks and a place to study peacefully. Connecting the ideologies of Black History Month with our own “We Are” chant is something that I never would have come up with! This is a great way to connect the two timeless civics to one another. Finally, the images you chose to include truly brought your topics to life. I can’t wait to read more about your stance on civic artifacts in our lives today!

    Elissa Hill

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