Upon reaching Bowdoin College, first years (not freshmen, mind you!) are taught the ins and outs of the fabled "Bowdoin Bubble." This "Bubble," which revisionist historians date to the late 1960s, was used as an excuse to forget about the "real world" and enjoy the liminal atmosphere of college. In the Bubble, we are all taught the gospel of political correctness. Dialogues replace rules. We eat like kings and queens in multi-million dollar dining facilities. We are catered to. Our messes are cleaned up after us.
We here at Bowdoin believe that our Bubble is an incredibly potent force. Escape is nearly impossible? its powers are believed to be greater than the force field on the Death Star. The Bubble is an undeniable fact. Religious beliefs and gender differences, however, are mere social constructions.
There are positive components of the Bubble, of course. It allows students to focus on their studies, sports, and other campus activities. It allows us to have a great campus life where we get to know each other surprisingly well. The unfortunate byproduct is that we tend to take our time in the Bubble for granted. It erodes our perspective and dims our view of the "real world."
We are all unfortunate victims. I am certainly no exception. My former roommates could tell you many a story about my waking up sometime in the afternoon on Saturday, stumbling though my dirt-ridden debacle of a bedroom into the Tower elevator, only to whine about the food options in the dining hall. Who can blame me? I was a helpless casualty of my environment. Luckily, none of us are lost causes.
This is why we Bowdoin students need Thanksgiving now more than ever. We need to get out of the Bubble, rub our eyes, and remember the "real world." We need to regain our much-needed perspective.
Diversity and difference are hot topics on campus. Thanksgiving is a holiday that truly brings everyone together. It is nondenominational and nonjudgmental. Everyone is brought together through the common value of gratitude.
A Muslim man can sit between a Jewish woman and a transsexual Unitarian and have a great time. Heck, you could even throw a Mormon in there! We'd have a great time, I swear.
You don't need to be an American to enjoy Thanksgiving. Everyone is invited. In fact, people from outside America are encouraged to attend, as long as they bring a native dish to the table.
After all, you can serve whatever you want. My buddy from high school always eats tons of roast beef. Family traditions can be weird, I admit. You can eat some sick and twisted tofu "turkey." I recommend that you don't, but whatever, Thanksgiving doesn't care. Thanksgiving just wants you to be grateful for what you do have.
Thanksgiving has not been ruined by rampant consumerism. Christian holidays are awful. Easter is now a weird pagan holiday about bunnies and delicious, delicious candy. Christmas has warped into the pinnacle of irony?over a month of nonstop, fanatical shopping in the name of Jesus. Luckily, beyond some killer sales, my favorite holiday has remained untarnished.
Thanksgiving carries precious little historical baggage. The actual Thanksgiving Day between the pilgrims and the natives here in America may never have happened. Who cares? The ideal of European Christians and Native Americans sitting down, eating together, trading recipes, and giving thanks is an ideal we should all aspire to.
Everyone (yes, everyone) has something to be thankful for. We Bowdoin students have a lot to be thankful for?even the Bubble. I hope we as a student body recognize the many things that we have to be grateful for, and that we all have a safe and wonderful holiday!