COLUMN: Closings

From Shawn Klein's "Jedi Mind Tricks," Fall '95 From Shawn Klein's "Jedi Mind Tricks," Fall '95My last column. I'm nearly graduating college. I have just a few things left to be said from my perch here before you've heard the last from me in this particular forum. (You'll be hearing more.) ·Through the course of the year in Cunning Linguistics and Jedi Mind Tricks I have often written about the biological basis of our behavior. Why men and women are different, why we love, why racism exists, why our culture has evolved the way it has, and what motivates people to act as they do. However, just because it is possible to effectively account for much of how we act in an evolutionary context, our free will is not precluded. Evolution has provided us with our free wills, the better to think and carry out our lives to their fullest and ensure our reproductive success. An evolutionary perspective gives us real answers to who and what we are without any metaphysical bullshit. It's something everyone should think about. ·The thing which still sticks out most walking around campus is the racial division. We simply don't talk to each other as we should. Highly publicized public forums should be held where people can get things off their chest. The DP should cover these extensively, publishing verbatim the dialogue of such meetings. Then people should be given the chance to react. Bridges have to be built. And the effort to build them should be an all encompassing one. A real multi-racial sense of community and exchange can be erected. The issue of race grows more and more crucial. Where better to settle in and work on it than an Ivy League school where the world's next generation of leaders is at its most feisty, enthusiastic and hopeful for the future. (My two cents on one point in particular, African-American students should stop playing music in Super Block in the a.m. I've heard it justified that Fling is not something which African-American students really take part in so this is another time to celebrate. But there is no reason that should be true. Nothing is done to orient Fling toward any particular group of students on campus. Certainly, no one has tried to actively exclude anyone else. Everyone is encouraged to participate. Fling organizers have made sincere efforts to include African- American students by hiring African-American bands to play at the concerts over the years. If that's not enough, then respond. Black students should say why and what else is needed. If dialogue can't be initiated, no problem will ever be taken care of.) ·Besides academics, the vast majority of my time, effort and concern have been for my fraternity, ZBT. I have a had a fantastic four years there and I consider myself lucky to have been a part of such a great house. Visiting next year as an alumnus is not going to be very pleasant. As an outsider coming back for just a night or two, I know it won't feel quite the same. And that makes me feel really sad. Each year I come back, I'll know one less class in the house. In four years, I'll know no one. I can only take solace in knowing that we've left ZBT with an able class who truly love each other and the house. They have the same exuberance and optimism that I had as a freshman. They are strong and good and together and have an amazing three more years coming up (regardless of any ridiculous measures this school or GAC takes to deter their efforts). I am graduating, but I still care a great deal about my house. I don't know at what point I am supposed to stop. The four years flew by. And now graduation, one of those times which makes us reflect on how life is as very fast as it is precious. College was good. I could not have done better than to spend my four "savor this because it's the best time of your life" years at Penn. My experiences have been unbelievable. I am only 21. That's not too old. (22 on the other hand is a bit scary.) But "graduating college." That's old. Absolutely frightening. It really is. And now off to medical school. I have been happy at Penn. These have been the four years I wanted them to be. Truth to tell, I would love to stay here. And I could. You see, I'm on this waiting list thingy at the Med school. Boy, do I want to get off. If someone is reading this who can help me. Please do it. I couldn't be happier anywhere else in the world.