Odd garb exposes psyche
Brandon Muri
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Opinion
Allow me to construct a scene: a long, rectangular room dominated by a massive table of polished mahogany surrounded by a dozen impeccably clad business executives.
Men of power. Men of distinction. Men of questionable morals. All but one - a lone man who sits tall, upright, with a firm jaw and a stern, clearly conservative gaze.
He is subtly clad in the mode of 18th century Scotland. The young man clearly holds no ties to those around him - a crag amidst turbulent waters. The purpose of this meeting is clear - the conception of and participation in liberal shenanigans.
The young man does not listen to the proceedings - he simply waits … in his kilt.
He waits 'til the time is ripe, and as the chairman begins wrapping up the meeting, the young Wallace stands, and striding purposefully to the source of mendacity, slaps him smartly across the chops with a heavy leather glove accompanied by a shrill,
"Have-at-thee!"
Sound like a scene from the movies?
Well, that just happened weeks ago in an executive meeting of Kellog's Cereal Co. in Battle Creek, Mich., and the upstanding young man was Hillsdale graduate Mathew Miller, class of 2004.
During his time at Hillsdale, Miller was one of those students often ostracized for his unique choice of clothing. But his clothing is more than a costume; his clothing manifests his greatest asset: his principles.
Many like Miller remain at Hillsdale today, and they, too, posses the same unflinching adherence to conservative principles - and to their costumes.
Now, I understand major universities have their fair share of goofballs. But those kids typically belong to some variant of the phylum "Gothica" or Emoticus," and they do not even share the same classification as our nerds. You see, our costumed classmates do not dress this way for attention. They are simply too smart to dress normally.
Freshman Ryan Olson, born and raised in Pittsburgh, said it best in a lilting (feigned?) British accent: "Why on earth would I dress in such a manner as to engender the misconception that I associate with modernity? I relate with David Hume and Jonathon Swift - so why flout my principles and perambulate about a department store when I can just as easily go on fantasycostumes.net and get a linen frock, doublet and breathable cotton hose for five grand?"
Students like Olson get their fair share of odd looks and snickers, but they will not be swayed. They are in earnest.
A foolhardy reader might just test this statement by knocking the top-hat off a certain Charles Dickens-looking-character. He will surely experience a hailing of blows in the form of an intricately carved walking cane. Or perhaps the reader would prefer making a joke regarding the pirate coat worn by our history major/mustachioed pirate, then seeing if he can fend off a flurry of imaginary rapier thrusts.
(Administration prevents him from bringing the actual rapier to school for safety purposes.) Maybe one day, as the reader enjoys a campus stroll, he may chance upon several stern youths in black ninja outfits, brandishing bamboo katana swords (ninjashop.com). Go ahead, give them a snicker. If they are kind, the reader will actually have a half second to blink before being pummeled to death with karate chops and toy swords.
My point is this: These young men are garbed not in costumes conceived in flights of fancy - but couched in virtue and integrity. These men embody the spirit of noble Hillsdale, and also the grand spirit of Dickens, the adventurous conservative-pirate, and law-abiding ninjas, and others - I am pretty sure I've seen a Bilbo Baggins in the old snack bar, the other day, chiefing mightily upon a pipe…
Hillsdale College Collegian 2008
Men of power. Men of distinction. Men of questionable morals. All but one - a lone man who sits tall, upright, with a firm jaw and a stern, clearly conservative gaze.
He is subtly clad in the mode of 18th century Scotland. The young man clearly holds no ties to those around him - a crag amidst turbulent waters. The purpose of this meeting is clear - the conception of and participation in liberal shenanigans.
The young man does not listen to the proceedings - he simply waits … in his kilt.
He waits 'til the time is ripe, and as the chairman begins wrapping up the meeting, the young Wallace stands, and striding purposefully to the source of mendacity, slaps him smartly across the chops with a heavy leather glove accompanied by a shrill,
"Have-at-thee!"
Sound like a scene from the movies?
Well, that just happened weeks ago in an executive meeting of Kellog's Cereal Co. in Battle Creek, Mich., and the upstanding young man was Hillsdale graduate Mathew Miller, class of 2004.
During his time at Hillsdale, Miller was one of those students often ostracized for his unique choice of clothing. But his clothing is more than a costume; his clothing manifests his greatest asset: his principles.
Many like Miller remain at Hillsdale today, and they, too, posses the same unflinching adherence to conservative principles - and to their costumes.
Now, I understand major universities have their fair share of goofballs. But those kids typically belong to some variant of the phylum "Gothica" or Emoticus," and they do not even share the same classification as our nerds. You see, our costumed classmates do not dress this way for attention. They are simply too smart to dress normally.
Freshman Ryan Olson, born and raised in Pittsburgh, said it best in a lilting (feigned?) British accent: "Why on earth would I dress in such a manner as to engender the misconception that I associate with modernity? I relate with David Hume and Jonathon Swift - so why flout my principles and perambulate about a department store when I can just as easily go on fantasycostumes.net and get a linen frock, doublet and breathable cotton hose for five grand?"
Students like Olson get their fair share of odd looks and snickers, but they will not be swayed. They are in earnest.
A foolhardy reader might just test this statement by knocking the top-hat off a certain Charles Dickens-looking-character. He will surely experience a hailing of blows in the form of an intricately carved walking cane. Or perhaps the reader would prefer making a joke regarding the pirate coat worn by our history major/mustachioed pirate, then seeing if he can fend off a flurry of imaginary rapier thrusts.
(Administration prevents him from bringing the actual rapier to school for safety purposes.) Maybe one day, as the reader enjoys a campus stroll, he may chance upon several stern youths in black ninja outfits, brandishing bamboo katana swords (ninjashop.com). Go ahead, give them a snicker. If they are kind, the reader will actually have a half second to blink before being pummeled to death with karate chops and toy swords.
My point is this: These young men are garbed not in costumes conceived in flights of fancy - but couched in virtue and integrity. These men embody the spirit of noble Hillsdale, and also the grand spirit of Dickens, the adventurous conservative-pirate, and law-abiding ninjas, and others - I am pretty sure I've seen a Bilbo Baggins in the old snack bar, the other day, chiefing mightily upon a pipe…
Hillsdale College Collegian 2008
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Brad Hubert
posted 2/28/08 @ 4:01 PM EST
As an alumnus of Hillsdale College I am certainly hopeful that this story is written in jest. Otherwise, I have no idea how this behavior or dress can be said to embody the "noble spirit of Hillsdale" and I would have to say that I am extremely embarrassed by the behavior of Mr. (Continued…)
Andy Losik '94
posted 2/29/08 @ 7:21 AM EST
Too bad this column went to press in February. It would have made a perfect addition to an April 1st edition.
Mr. Wallace's behavior and Mr. Muri's celebration of said behavior are nothing more than huge disservices to Hillsdale College. (Continued…)
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