by People are often grouped based on their preferences. Whether this is done purposely, society sets a standard around how we are viewed by our peers. We often associate ourselves with certain aspects of culture based on the feeling that we derive from interaction. Here at Colby, there is a clear division of culture. Two cultures exist – one comprising of those who play on athletic teams and the other – those who don’t. While Colby remains an extremely prestigious and well-respected institution for higher education, it is unable to escape the societal divisions and grouping of different cultures.
Those who are Varsity athletes at Colby are placed into a different group than the rest of the student body. Varsity athletics at Colby is somewhat of a cult. It is common to see members of sport teams wearing their gear around campus. While they may sometimes be wearing this clothing simply because it was the first item they grabbed when getting dressed but it often seems as if some individuals wear these articles of clothing simply to “flex.” By this, I mean that they’re wearing it with the intention of grabbing the attention of others in order to be thought of in a higher manner. I see some individuals wearing the same sweatshirt multiple days in a row. Additionally, the biggest division of culture is the blue athletic team backpacks. Every athlete is given a backpack with their team name. I’ve seen some people switch their backpacks upon being given their team backpack. Maybe it is just a preference, but it seems intentional. I think that this is the clearest aspect of the division of cultures. It is sad to see that Colby promotes this kind of division. Instead of creating these divisions, the school should be doing more to promote unity among all students. There is a clear hierarchy between the two cultures, with those on athletic teams being at the top of the social pyramid.
On the other hand, non-athletes are often on the bottom half of the social pyramid due to not participating in athletics. Most of the parties that happen on campus are often held by the sports teams. These parties are usually pretty exclusive to those who are on athletics teams as well as friends of athletes. Those who don’t participate in athletics at Colby often find themselves being left out of these events and are forced to either create or find their own fun. COVID-19 has furthered the division of cultures. With there being a cap on the number of people allowed in groups to ten, this means that even the friends of athletes are unable to participate in these social gatherings. Interaction is an innate characteristic of humans and with the current restrictions, it has affected people socially in a negative way. COVID restrictions combined with being a first year has complicated the transition to college for many. I know countless first years who have struggled to find a group of people who they really connect with. The school should be doing more and planning more social events that promote inclusivity. That being said, the social events such as food trucks and fire pits are a step in the right direction. Moreover, another division is bred within athletics as a whole at Colby. Those who aren’t on athletic teams are often restricted in what they can do. There are benefits that the new athletic center offers that are only given to varsity athletes. This includes having laundry done at the AC as well as being able to see the trainer for an injury. I find it concerning to know that these acts of division are being promoted by the school and ways of fixing this issue need to be addressed.
Being a member of the swim team allows me to have a more in-depth view of the divisions between the two cultures. It becomes clear to me that there is in fact a division – it is black and white. I often spend a large portion of my time hanging out with my team – in and out of the pool. I like to find a balance between spending time with my teammates and my other friends. Since the start of the year, I have spent a majority of my time with friends from my dorm and other people I have met. I know that once practices officially start, I’ll be spending a majority of my time with my teammates. It is important to find a balance between the two cultures in order to have the best experiences. While it is evident that there are two cultures at Colby, it is saddening to know that the school is conscious and still fails to act. Action should be taken in order to remedy this issue and repair the division of culture.
Sources: