There's A Deeper Political Meaning To The "We Are, Penn State" Chant | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

There's A Deeper Political Meaning To The "We Are, Penn State" Chant

It's a common phrase seen on Penn State T-shirts and heard in stands, but it possesses greater political implications.

1904
There's A Deeper Political Meaning To The "We Are, Penn State" Chant
YouTube

In an era when race relations are still strained and the battle for social justice rages on, many colleges and universities have taken steps to repair these breaches. Schools boast of their "safe spaces" that safeguard targeted groups from racial discrimination and prejudice. The spaces have walls or perhaps intangible and imaginary boundaries that seclude these groups from the potential hatred that could circulate through the larger student body. These regions are attempts to achieve social justice.

Why separate the racial minorities? Why separate those of different religious groups? Why separate the non-cisgender, non-straight students? Why separate them? Where is the justice when the boundaries are thickened between these different groups?

As a student of Penn State University, I believe their method to achieve social justice reigns supreme.

I know that there may never be an absolute perfect social justice that completely satisfies every possible division of people that exists. I also know that I may be white and straight and unable to completely experience injustices that may prevail against particular groups.

Yet, I must applaud Penn State for its famous "WE ARE" chant.

The key word is "we."

The "we" encompasses the whites, the "we" encompasses the Christians, the "we" encompasses the transgenders, the "we" encompasses the Muslims, the "we" encompasses the impoverished, the "we" encompasses those from every possible background, every possible sexuality, every possible identity.

All these groups unite into one school that is Penn State. The dividers are broken down and shattered with the echoing of these words. All the groups have contributed to synthesizing the classes that pass through the university— and they are all acknowledged with one simple word.

The "WE ARE" chant possesses a history of equality and justice. In 1948, during the era of segregation, the racially integrated Penn State football team was playing the segregated Southern Methodist University of Miami football team.

While SMU allegedly wanted to protest Penn State's inclusion of African-American players Wally Triplett and Dennie Hoggard, fellow player Steve Suhey declared Penn State's refusal to do so by arguing, "We are Penn State." Though the routine chanting of that statement did not take effect until years later, it still generated a landmark in the ongoing Civil Rights Movement.

This story may not render Penn State the biggest champion of civil rights or catalyst to spread social justice, but it still acts as a model for a more just society. The many social issues that linger today (or, perhaps, arise) have one common theme.

Particular groups feel that they are not receiving the proper "empowerment" and therefore accuse outsiders of bigotry, racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia— the plurality of this statement suggests that all groups are necessary to form the Penn State class that all groups are equal. There aren't havens to shelter groups and cause more divides. There is complete inclusion.

Many people may disagree with me, many people may pinpoint my bias as a Penn State student. But this suggestion, I believe, is less futile than other attempts to prompt social justice.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

10 Reasons Why It's Awesome When Your Best Friend Gets New Friends

She may not be with you 24/7 but it's all good because you're soul sisters.

68
super friends
Gabi Morales

We all have a person, and when that person makes some new friends, we tend to forget all the great things that can come out of it. Never forget how special they are to you and why you are best friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
mountains

If you're like me, then the last semester kicked your butt, big time. Lots of papers, projects, and overall chaos. While some things are beyond our control, there are some things you can do to make this semester one of your best ones yet!

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

8 Cringey College Tinder Stories

. Cringey Tinder stories from some Tinder girls

2202
a man and a woman sitting at a table
Photo by Good Faces on Unsplash

Toilet Troubles

"So, usually I would never go on a Tinder date but when you are out with girlfriends and a hot Bosnian guy says he wants to hang with you and his friends, you oblige. We head to their apartment and when I realized I may pee my pants if I don't find a bathroom soon. I ask for the bathroom and a friend of my tinder date shows me to it and said in all seriousness that I was not allowed to flush the toilet under ANY circumstances. Having a few drinks--or five--I relieved myself to, nevertheless, flush the toilet. Within seconds, his bathroom was flooded and towels were laid out everywhere to catch the toilet water. To say the least, we were not invited back"

Keep Reading...Show less
Girl with a Guy Bestfriend
vignette3

I can confidently say that about 90 percent of all the friends I have are male. It's just always been that way since I was a kid. Over the years, I've heard a lot of things and I've learned a lot of things, and here it all is. Enjoy!

If you're a girl with a guy best friend you know that...

Keep Reading...Show less
Greek Life
Clare Concannon

With being a member of Greek life, you are going to come across people who HATE Greek life and who always want to say something negative towards it. If you're not a part of Greek life, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But maybe try and keep some of the not-so-nice comments to yourself.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments