Dr. Hubbs’ lecture discussed issues that I myself have been contemplating for last few months now. I did enjoy his lecture full of the pop-culture references of “Gone with the Wind,” stories of a town I had not heard about before, and discussion of the pre-determined notions of what makes this south, “The South.” However, more than this concept of loyalty to or within a community, the notion of the formation of community was the most interesting to me. I’ve never really felt that the neighborhoods I’ve lived in were communities, mostly because my family moved around a lot in my youth. Ever since my family moved to Birmingham about ten years ago, we have become a part of the local South Asian Muslim community, a community that has grown enormously, considering the size of Birmingham. This community got together often when I was a child, throwing large dinner parties in various dinner halls and conference rooms, or smaller dinners in people’s homes. However, as time went on, the community started growing and became disjointed. The dinner halls could no longer fit all the people and this somehow discouraged dinner parties in homes, also. I related this definition of community to the lecture because Dr. Hubbs implied that bad times did not destroy the community of Greensboro, it created and enhanced it. After the September 11th attacks, we heard constant news of naturalized citizens who were called in for questions without explanations, legal immigrants who were victims of ongoing hearings, and other like incidents from right here in our community. Suddenly, the community did not seem so vast anymore. People rushed together to help other who may need help, whether financially or emotionally. Previous differences were put aside for the time being. The kids in the community were now children of the community. Our community could be easily compared to “Gone with the Wind” because everyone seemed to know everyone else. However, as the community became obviously closer, it also became an exclusive one. People who did not share the community’s sense of value were not readily accepted. Almost immediately, many of the adults tried to establish a sense of loyalty to the community in their kids, a generation that was confused due to our upbringing in two cultures. At that point, the tight-knit community did not always seem like such a good idea.

Mainly because I grew up in two cultures and between two countries, I always have a hard time defining my loyalties. But I agree that one cannot be loyal to everything because by human nature we tend to surround ourselves with people who are like us and we feel comfortable around. In a sense, can this not be described as loyalty to one’s self? Does loyalty always have to be to a community? I think we often forget that we also have to be loyal to ourselves first and foremost and this obviously will lead to exclusiveness. And for this, I agree with Chris, it may not always be a bad thing.

So I've been thinking about the concept of loyalty for the past few days, and I can see the negative and positive aspects of it. True, loyalty in a community is important because a basis of trust is established. However, does loyalty mean that you completely exclude anyone new from joining a group?

At my old high school if someone came from a rival high school, we would ultimately accept them but still give them a hard time about where they came from. To me, that's ridiculous but if that's what is considered loyalty then so be it. I remember sitting at the football games and seeing the clear division between the home team and the rival and how the crowds interacted with each other. I also remember the fits people threw when someone would wear another school's baseball or football shirt. When it comes to college, does loyalty mean that I can't wear my University of Pittsburgh Panthers shirt just because I go to BSC? Loyalty comes in different shapes and sizes and I think it just depends on who you are and how you interpret it.

Ok back to community. My community was very "clique-ish". If you lived in "Indian Fields" everyone knew each other, went golfing together, and chances are the kids all drank and partied together. It was never exclusive to outsiders, but there was some sort of strange comradery that was hard to break into if you weren't and insider. I'm not really sure how I feel about that.

I have to admit, I have a group of friends that I'm extremely close to and I react differently to someone who wants to join the group. Someone once said to me that it was if there were 3 main girls, and everyone that came along were the supporting actors. I could see that. Maybe I'm just loyal to a certain number of people or certain people in particular.

Lastly, heaven. I can't answer that question because I don't believe in the concept of heaven. If others believethat heaven is going to be inclusive and exclusive, that's fine and dandy. I choose not to believe in it at all.

Loyalty personal is very valuable. Just because one is Loyal to lets just say the Atlanta Braves does not mean that you hate the New York Yankees. Although, in most cases I dislike the Yankees. This is only because they represent competition and a team that is going to pose a challenge for the Braves in getting the World Series title. My family is spilt down the middle on rooting for Yankees or the Braves. My dad, youngest brother, and I support the home team. While my stepmother and my other two brothers are Yankees fans. We might have a couple arguments in which team is better but it never carries on further then that. Loyalty to the Braves gives me a sense of place. Rooting for them and being a around people who are going out for the same team that you are makes you feel comfortable. I have always been taught that with loyalty comes respect. Just because one person believes in one thing does not mean the person sitting next to you does. It is key to respect ones beliefs and keep an open mind. Sure it’s okay to cry if the Braves don’t make it to the World Series this year, also respect the team who makes it to the Series because this year they earned it. In the end, for me loyalty shows honor but also respect does so it is vital to balance both of these when coming a across a fan of a different supports team or someone who believes in a different faith.

I attended Professor Guy Hubbs's discussion on the origins of southern distinctiveness. However, i was sitting in the very back of the theatre and could not hear much of his discussion. However, I did notice how everyone acted during the discussion. As i was seated in the back, I couldn't hear Professor Hubbs due to the lack of microphones, but I also could not hear him due to people talking during his lecture. I was astounded to how students treated some of these cultural events.

By listening to Dr. Tatter in lecture, I recieved an overall summary of what was mentioned during Professor Hubbs's lecture. Loyalty was a major point in Professor Hubb's lecture. I began to think of what I am loyal to. Some might say they that are loyal to a specific sports team, or religious group. I believe that I am loyal to myself first. I am also loyal to my favorite football team, Auburn Tigers. Loyalty is a very important characteristic. I believe that if someone is not loyal then that person can not be trusted.

The question about Greek organizations on campus is the first example I was able to think of about exclusiveness. I, myself, choose not to join a sorority and while I am happy with my decision, I have already noticed two major issues with my choice. The first is that three of my closest friends on my hall joined the same sorority and while I never feel like an outsider with them, I do feel like one when say we go to the cafateria and a group of their sorority sisters comes and sits with us, while most of them are nice some of them do not speak to me at all when they find out that I am independent. Although, this makes me uncomfortable, the worst part about it is that it makes my friends uncomfortable. They do not want to choose and I do not feel like they will have to, but sometimes it is going to be hard to balances both aspects of their social life. The second issue that has come up is socializing with other independents. While most of them are nice and have no problem with the Greek organizations there are a few of them who dislike all sorority women simply on principle. I saw this firsthand when I was playing on the independent team for intramural soccer and football. While most people play fairly and show sportsmanship, some of the girls on both teams play a little bit dirty or at least make their opinions known.

I understand that loyalty is an important concept in Greek life, but I think that some memeber have a skewed perception of that loyalty. I believe that I can be both loyal to my friends, and my own group, the independents. I never expect my friends to betray their sorority by telling me anything that is supposed to be kept a secret and I would never ask them to. What I do expect is that they are loyal to me and respect my decision to remain independent. I do not think this is a problem right now and I hope that it will not become one when my friends become active members of their sorority.


The other question I thought I could comment on was the one about "school spirit". While I do not know anything about the Alabama/Auburn rivalry, not being from Alabama, I can comment on the feelings between Texas and Texas A&M. In Texas, if you choose to be an Aggie or a Longhorn, you should be aware that that is a lifetime choice. There is an amazing amount of pride that goes along with that choice. Aggies and Longhorns generally hate each other and do everything to make each others' lives miserable. The best example of this are the Aggie jokes, which you can buy whole books filled with. One of the better known ones goes like this, "How many Aggies does it take to screw in a lightbulb?, Three. One to stand on a chair and hold the lightbulb and two to turn the chair." There is definatley and exclusiveness that goes with choosing to attend one college or the other and in Texas we learn early on to not claim ourselves as one or the other unless we are ready to make that decision for life.