Norman, Brian

English

epublications@Marquette

Conversations on Jesuit Higher EducationVolume 51 Article 9February 2017Of Love and Distraction: Words from One JesuitCampus Respond to Hatred at Its GatesBrian NormanFollow this and additional works at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/conversationsRecommended CitationNorman, Brian (2017) "Of Love and Distraction: Words from One Jesuit Campus Respond to Hatred at Its Gates," Conversations onJesuit Higher Education: Vol. 51 , Article 9.Available at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/conversations/vol51/iss1/918 CONVERSATIONS ON JESUIT HIGHER EDUCATION                                                                                                                                          In early April, the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) an-nounced plans to protest my campus. They cited as aparticular offense the student LGBTQ and allies groupSpectrum and its faculty/staff corollary OUTLoyola,two groups with whom I have worked closely andproudly over the years.        Word quickly spread through social and informalmedia. Students were upset and confused. For thosewho had encountered such groups before, there wasless alarm and more disquiet. An ensuing campuscommunication underscored our commitment to in-clusion and Jesuit values, while asking members notto inadvertently spread WBC’s message on socialmedia in the act of disavowing it. The protestors, wewere assured, would not be allowed on campus andwould – if they appeared at all – be small in numberand likely stand astride a public street corner just out-side our perimeter for the 30 threatened minutes atmid-day.        Hatred was at our gates. A campus and studentgeneration that believes fiercely in inclusion was com-pelled to reflect on an appropriate response. At thatsame mid-day hour, students worked with faculty andstaff to hold a gathering on our campus quad to dis-play unity and love. There were speakers, prayers, andan opportunity to sign a pledge board, a staple of cam-pus demonstrations in recent years. The mood was fes-tive; the sun was bright; the message was love.        Such a gesture is of course welcome, especially forsexual minority members of the community, includingmyself. But I also worried that day about necessary in-ternal work and critical reflection in our own commu-nity, which isn’t always possible in the tenor of unity.What difficult conversation were we not having thatday, I wondered?        I was honored to be asked to share a few wordsthat day, and I shall share them here, too:“I’ve faced down bigots before. As a college stu-dent joining feminist demonstrations. Or, as ayoung professor in Idaho joining the unsuccess-ful fight against an anti-gay state constitutionalamendment.”  “That’s the easy stuff. That’s the stuff of moralclarity and heady feelings of righteousness.Today, we have much harder work to do.” “Today, we must also look inward to our owncommunity. Yes, we must mark the presence ofobvious bigotry, like those standing on CharlesStreet with a message of hatred. That is importantto mark. But we cannot let that be a distractionfrom work to be done here, within our own com-munity. We must dim the lights of obvious, spec-tacular hatred so that we can see more intimateinjustices here at home, lest we prematurely cele-brate unity before asking if we’ve achieved it.”Of Love and DistractionWords from One Jesuit Campus Respond to Hatred at Its GatesBy Brian Norman1Norman: Of Love and Distraction: Words from One Jesuit Campus Respond toPublished by e-Publications@Marquette, 2017                                                                                                                                                                                                               19“Do I always feel included here at Loyola? Some-times, yes. Like today. Today, we are intentionallycoming together and remembering our highestideals. This is mission in action.”“But sometimes, no. Such as when I ask whether myhusband is invited to an event. I can’t be certain;that nagging insecurity points to something. Or,when I encounter an anti-gay slur scrawled on arestroom wall or uttered casually by passing stu-dents in conversation. Or, when I feel the profes-sional need to take extra care when discussingLGBTQ literature in a course to help students seehow such intellectual engagement with the world isnot only consistent with our values, but even per-haps called for by that educational mission. Or,when I joined with colleagues – many in the audi-ence today – to secure access to healthcare forlegally domiciled adults. Or, when I joined againwith colleagues to work for 12 months to securegender-inclusive restroom signs so that our campusis more welcoming of transgender individuals. Thatwork continues.” “So, today let’s turn inward to ask not just ourselvesbut also our neighbors if they feel welcome. If theyexperience inclusion in their everyday lives here atLoyola. Inclusion is our institutional policy and it ispart of the Ignatian call to affirm human dignity, butwhat does that look like in our everyday lives? Let’snot prematurely celebrate unity. Let’s work togetherto achieve it.“As black feminist Pat Parker said in 1980: Revolu-tion is not neat or pretty or quick. Today, we are liv-ing in a revolution begun generations ago. Let’sresolve to learn about who we have to thank for thisworld today. And how to continue their work.”       Later, at a reflection session in the campus ministrylounge, the director reminded us that the WBC rose toprominence by protesting the funeral of Matthew Shepherdfollowing his brutal anti-gay murder in Wyoming. At thetrials the following year, counterdemonstrators constructedgiant angel wings to block the perimeter. It was an act ofastonishing creativity and care as they created a space ofgrief and dignity for the family of the slain son.        What is the equivalent today at a Jesuit university seek-ing to engage a diverse world? What kind of intellectualcommunity can we build now that has the capacity toimagine such beautiful acts of defiance later, when they arenecessary? And what kind of grief and community workwithin our own perimeters must we make space for? I donot know the answers. But I know some of the questions.Brian Norman is associate vice president for Faculty Affairsand Diversity and a professor of English, Loyola UniversityMaryland.Modeling DialogueHonest, Authentic EncountersBy Paul K. AlexanderJesuit Catholic universities are uniquely poised to leadour communities and our world in transformational di-alogue. The values and fundamental teachings withinour Ignatian way of proceeding and Catholic socialthought can build honest and authentic encounterswith others.        Father Michael Sheeran, S.J., former president ofRegis University and current president of the Associa-tion of Jesuit Colleges and Universities drew from thesecore principles when he founded the Institute on theCommon Good in 1997. We begin with Ignatius’ admo-nition to believe in the “right intention” of everyhuman being. If the world is fundamentally good, thenwe must trust that every human acts from a place ofgood. We do not seek to beat down but rather raise upwhat is sacred in the other’s position, interest, or belief.We ask “what is the guiding good here?” We insist onparticipation and subsidiarity. The members of a com-2Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education, Vol. 51, Iss. 1 [2017], Art. 9http://epublications.marquette.edu/conversations/vol51/iss1/9

Of Love and Distraction: Words from One Jesuit Campus Respond to Hatred at Its Gates

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Of Love and Distraction: Words from One Jesuit Campus Respond to Hatred at Its Gates

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