Monday, October 13, 2003
(1:23 PM) | Adam Kotsko:
Called unto Conservatism
I have occasionally written about my perception that Olivet is trending rightward on the political and theological scale. Thankfully, I am now enrolled at another institution of higher learning, and this is therefore none of my business, but I did notice that today is Columbus Day, and Olivet does not have school. I also seem to remember that Martin Luther King Day is not similarly observed at Olivet -- unless that has changed of course. Just to top it off, I know for a fact that Olivet never has Labor Day off.
In summary: Olivet does observe a holiday commemorating the man who opened up this continent to conquest by European powers. It does not observe a holiday commemorating the man who was most instrumental in gaining African Americans full participation in our country, nor does it observe a holiday commemorating those who make a living by the sweat of their brow.
There are many good reasons why this is a case. Columbus Day just happens to coincide with a good time for fall break. Both MLK Day and Labor day are too early in the semester for it to be practical to give a break right then.
Of course, if you really want to commemorate someone, you do sometimes go out of your way. For instance, Easter comes uncomfortably close to the end of the Spring semester, but Olivet students rightly get time off to commemorate both Good Friday and Easter (though not necessarily the Lord's Supper).
Just some observations that I wanted to post on dialog but thought better of.
