To Create New Ways of Reading
I’ve known that I wanted to study Classics since I first read the Iliad on a rainy night. I always felt that I had a place in the texts; that when I read them, ancient voices could speak to me and for me. I didn’t realize until much later that others don’t make this connection so easily. It has fallen too often to women and people of color to illuminate the violence against them deeply embedded in the classical tradition, and it remains difficult for marginalized groups to study Classics without being forced to assert their right to do so. In order to create new ways of reading – not just examining the power of ancient texts, but also, when necessary, subverting it – all of us are obligated to speak out.
I’ve come to realize that this principle directly applies to the culture of this university. I’m fortunate enough to come from a background that enabled me to shape the Yale experience I wanted (major, career path, extracurricular activities). Despite the university’s claim to meet “100% of a family’s demonstrated need,” the realities of class privilege mean that not everyone here can say the same: other students are forced to work a job to assert their right to be here. Moreover, despite the urgent problems posed by class division, it sometimes feels like we’ve all sworn not to talk about it. Too often, Yale’s culture pressures those suffering to suffer quietly; those who speak out are dismissed for “whining.” If we are to meaningfully confront problems of class, we must prevent the burden of speaking out from falling only on those already hurting – all of us, including those whom the power structure unjustly benefits, must raise our voices.
I’ve come to realize that this principle directly applies to the culture of this university. I’m fortunate enough to come from a background that enabled me to shape the Yale experience I wanted (major, career path, extracurricular activities). Despite the university’s claim to meet “100% of a family’s demonstrated need,” the realities of class privilege mean that not everyone here can say the same: other students are forced to work a job to assert their right to be here. Moreover, despite the urgent problems posed by class division, it sometimes feels like we’ve all sworn not to talk about it. Too often, Yale’s culture pressures those suffering to suffer quietly; those who speak out are dismissed for “whining.” If we are to meaningfully confront problems of class, we must prevent the burden of speaking out from falling only on those already hurting – all of us, including those whom the power structure unjustly benefits, must raise our voices.
