Once upon a time (say, this past Saturday night at the Iron Gate Theatre), the all-female South Asian dance troupe PENNaach presented their amazing spring show. Though I went to support my roommate, an intensely dedicated Naach dancer, the first few minutes had me feeling like the one being cheered on.
This was because the video backdrop to the performance pictured one of the dancers reading a magazine. And not just any magazine, but Street - yes, we received a shout out instead of printing them! Needless to say, I was thrilled to see it on the big screen.
I know that many student organizations have brother or sister groups that they support; Dhamaka is always present at Naach shows and Bloomers always count among the audience members at Mask & Wig openings. And then vise-a-versa.
But I think it is far too rare that outward forms of support are shown to a group outside of one's own genre or umbrella organization. This is particularly a shame because in my experience, intra-umbrella support is often forced. which isn't that supportive at all.
We should branch out from our own specific organizational, cultural, or other [insert adjective]-groups and simply show support to other Penn students - Quaker-to-Quaker recognition, if you will. Because regardless of to what we devote tens of hours a week, we all have a lack of sleep, rushed homework and a diminishing social life in common. And who better than us to know how welcome applause, cheers or simply another body in the audience can be?
Not that umbrella organizations and "genre" centers don't have their place. In fact, our campus would be significantly less tolerant and supportive of others without resources like the LGBT Center, as our feature this week reminds. Locust Walk is difficult enough to navigate with its uneven bricks; I can't imagine having to stumble through the taunts of ignorant frat boys (see page 10).
So, PENNaach, thank you for the recognition. Keep on dancing, and we'll keep on writing. With mutual support like this, it's a good time to be a Quaker.
Here's to you,
