The Sweet Briar Voice Speaks Too Loudly

When my parents came to visit me at Sweet Briar for parent's weekend last semester, I made sure to tidy up my room. I made my bed, vacuumed the floor, and hid the school's newspaper. The reason I hid the Sweet Briar Voice is because I was embarrassed by some of the content, namely the column titled Vixen In the Sack. Every month, Vixen In the Sack publishes a new article, which I always try to avoid. How is it that an article like this finds its way into a newspaper that everyone is allowed to read? Students, friends, parents, and even faculty have read these articles. 

This newspaper represents our campus and its students, but I do not want to be part of this representation. I want to be associated with the articles about art, sports, and politics. I do not mind typifying these subjects because I am proud of our art, athletics, and government.  But I do mind being characterized in quotes such as "Many of Sweet Briar's single girls have an unfortunate habit of whoring themselves at every Hampden-Sydney frat party and VMI football game..." I am a Sweet Briar single, but I have never had the habit of "whoring" myself. Not to mention that the word "whoring" is used in a slang context. It is possible to be a whore, or to go whoring, but it is not possible to whore oneself. Using the word is almost as humiliating as reading it. 

 My parents found a copy of the Sweet Briar Voice before they left for home, and they read it. They were also embarrassed in what they read. Even though they know I am not the type of person who is partaking in these activities, they are still baffled as to why a school newspaper would reveal such indecent behavior in the the students at Sweet Briar College. 

Supporting Reality Television

Like most teenagers, I watch and enjoy reality television shows. My favorite channel is Bravo, and I never miss an episode of "Project Runway" or "Make Me a Supermodel." Bravo Tv represents many different ways of life that I disagree with, yet I still support the channel every Wednesday and Thursday night. I love fashion, which is my initial interest in these shows, but when I watch the shows I feel guilty. There are inappropriate scenes as well as inappropriate language. It is not sinful to be tempted, but giving into temptation is sinful. So are we sinning every time we  watch a reality television show? 

Unlike a fictional movie or series, reality television follows other people's lives. There are still writers for the shows who make it more dramatic, but the way all of the situations are handled is under the participant's control. If we are going to support reality television, I think we should know about the people in the show. There are blogs, diary entries, and portfolios for the participants in the shows of Bravo Tv. I read about the designers and the models that I choose to support. Some of the people on these shows are struggling with their faith and their religious values because of what exists in the fashion and modeling industry.

 My friends and I look forward to the drama of our favorite shows every week. They are tempting to watch, but we must pick and choose what we will let affect us. And we must keep in mind the people that are participating in these shows. I think there are a lot of talented people on these shows, and I will continue to pray for them and support them. 

Holly is a contestant on Make Me a Supermodel, and this is what she has to say in response to a challenge: Holly's diary 

Freshman Orientation at Sweet Briar College

During orientation it is important to explain what college life will be like to the new freshman, but sometimes all the information can be a bad thing. There were three specific lectures freshman were obligated to attend, and they were all about sex and alcohol. For the majority of the students, it was accepted as normal college behavior; however, some students felt uncomfortable sitting in the audience. The talks were presented in a very vulgar way that included unrefined words and dances. I asked three religious students how they felt during the orientation "sex talks" and they described it as "awkward, shocking, and weird." 

-Overall, how comfortable did you feel?

"I wasn't uncomfortable about the topic, but I felt uncomfortable about them saying it was okay to sleep around if you already had the intention to in the first place." -Anonymous(non-denominational Christian).

 

"They were saying everything in a way that we were all doing it. They were giving a lot of advice." -Anonymous(Moslem). 

-Do you feel like the lectures should be optional for future incoming classes?

"No, but I would want other speakers or multiple speakers so it would suit everyone's needs." -Anonymous(non-denominational Christian).

Sex and alcohol are obviously topics that are difficult for many religious teens to face during their college years. We are aware of what our classmates are doing, but we do not need to understand everything they are doing. It is difficult to follow our way of life if we are being made to listen to vulgar advice. The lectures made the topic sound like it was acceptable behavior for college students, but according to the religious it isn't acceptable behavior for anyone.