As we reach the end of what has been an overworked and overwhelming semester for college students, I have decided to take a brief moment this last week of classes and review what I have learned from my experience blogging about Ithaca’s liberal tendencies:
Ithaca is liberal, but there is no such thing as one form of liberal politics.
That’s it; plain and simple. No ornate language, no fancy photographs of some left-wing-driven protests. Ithaca merely manifests itself in not one particular brand of liberal politics unique only to this geographic region, but in many. Ithaca has its inhabitants who do not fall into the category of “liberal,” or may under conventional standards but choose to reject any form of labeling. The point is, however, from the DSA to the Afghanistan protests, from gay clubs to gay-phobias, Ithaca has political and cultural diversity, even if the majority of it seems to be (or at least, often is) perceived as liberal politics.
And it works for Ithaca, honestly. Ithaca, New York is a college town, a loaded title for places that seem to enjoy serving their time as liberal havens. Nevertheless because of Ithaca’s idiosyncracies and personal touch on the political spectrum, no one can say Ithaca is just “one of those liberal places.” Committing to such a description would reap Ithaca of its individual charm and qualities, the good, the bad, the ugliest of liberal confrontation. I say, let’s embrace Ithaca for what it is, and maybe criticize what it isn’t (or could be).
Overall, I’ve enjoyed this journey, and hope to continue blogging about it in the future (when time is permitted for the, as mentioned, overworked college students like myself, who is merely one among many).
Peace, love, and all that jazz,
Chris.
