Reunion Reflections - part 2
May. 29th, 2006 12:56 pmI had a couple of conversations that have stuck in my mind. They were with two of the folks behind the show. One of them played a powerful piece she wrote about 'the girl she could never have.' Her work, her voice - both literal and verbal - summed up the experience of so many women (and men) who have been denied love by a culture so bound up in sexual propriety based on religion or procreation or "unnatural" behavior. The damage done is amazing - and ever so much more than is seen. Her music may yet make it beyond the confines of her friends - she has demos made and being circulated.
The other conversation was with somebody who does not perform outside of these venues or family places. She has talent and expressiveness. She has personality that shines. But the performance side does not fit with her professional situation. "What would my students say if they saw me doing this?"
We talked about how their perceptions of her would alter - but how it might free them up to express sides of themselves not normally allowed 'out.'
*****
I guess that is a lot of what this was about for me - in versus out. Within our communities, we can be more ourselves, let more out, let more be seen. Beyond them, more is hidden, more is reserved. More, indeed, is buried.
Yes, for some, there are the secret shames of things one doesn't want to admit to the community, either. "See - I'm reading PEOPLE MAGAZINE!" exclaimed a high powered professional to another who did her best to ignore it. "I love watching American Idol, too! (Or did until _____ was eliminated.)"
I loved talking to the economist and the lawyers, to the doctor and the event planner, to the psychologist who is currently being a mommy and researching on the side as a volunteer. There were multiple professors and a principal... and the list went on.
Then there were the support staff - those who stayed on to work reunion, either still students or just graduated. A dancer, a pair of double majors (econ and math, econ and classics), a genetics researcher...
The atmosphere was charged with folks who were and are inquisitive and thoughtful. It was a reflective experience. It still is.
The other conversation was with somebody who does not perform outside of these venues or family places. She has talent and expressiveness. She has personality that shines. But the performance side does not fit with her professional situation. "What would my students say if they saw me doing this?"
We talked about how their perceptions of her would alter - but how it might free them up to express sides of themselves not normally allowed 'out.'
*****
I guess that is a lot of what this was about for me - in versus out. Within our communities, we can be more ourselves, let more out, let more be seen. Beyond them, more is hidden, more is reserved. More, indeed, is buried.
Yes, for some, there are the secret shames of things one doesn't want to admit to the community, either. "See - I'm reading PEOPLE MAGAZINE!" exclaimed a high powered professional to another who did her best to ignore it. "I love watching American Idol, too! (Or did until _____ was eliminated.)"
I loved talking to the economist and the lawyers, to the doctor and the event planner, to the psychologist who is currently being a mommy and researching on the side as a volunteer. There were multiple professors and a principal... and the list went on.
Then there were the support staff - those who stayed on to work reunion, either still students or just graduated. A dancer, a pair of double majors (econ and math, econ and classics), a genetics researcher...
The atmosphere was charged with folks who were and are inquisitive and thoughtful. It was a reflective experience. It still is.