The Problem with "Awkward Couples of Liberty University"
In Puritan times, citizens who trespassed against the law were subject, among other punishments, to humiliation at the pillory, something Nathaniel Hawthorne depicts memorably in The Scarlet Letter. The pillory was
so fashioned as to confine the human head in its tight grasp, and thus hold it up to the public gaze. The very ideal of ignominy was embodied and made manifest in this contrivance of wood and iron. There can be no outrage, methinks—against our common nature—whatever be the delinquencies of the individual—no outrage more flagrant than to forbid the culprit to hide his face for shame.
The days of the pillory have long passed. But the humiliation of the public gaze—for social transgressions, if not criminal ones—lives on, thanks to Facebook and the internet.
Consider Exhibit A: the website People of Walmart.org, which posts surreptitiously taken photographs of shoppers who embody the worst stereotypes imaginable within this particular demographic (a demographic large enough, incidentally, to include this writer).
Exhibit B is the blog Asians Sleeping in the Library, picturing—you guessed it—Asians sleeping in various university libraries. Although this site, like the people of Wal-Mart site, is also rooted in stereotypes, it intends to "celebrate, not berate" those pictured, according to the blog's creator. Indeed, a former student of mine was featured there when she was a sleepy, studious law student, and she took it as an honor. Of course, it helps, she told me, that she's "not a particularly private person" and that the friend who submitted the photo of her sleeping got her permission first. Still, while she does find the site funny, she acknowledges "mixed feelings" about it. "I think a lot of the photos are sent in by strangers or people who aren't so considerate about how someone might feel about being the object of amusement." Fortunately, the site's owner, who describes himself as someone who also likes to sleep in libraries, asks anyone who wants a picture taken down to contact him and he will "gladly do it."
Exhibit C was brought to my attention by a current student of mine at Liberty University: a new Facebook group called Awkward Couples of Liberty. Created just a few weeks ago, the group has gained nearly 6,000 "likes." As its name suggests, the site posts photos of couples taken around campus engaged in romantic moments that are quite awkward—most often (but not always) a rather innocent kind of awkward, although still in violation of university rules that prohibit physical contact beyond handholding (resulting in posts in the group by the Dean of Students reminding students of university rules and consequences for violations). The group's creator cautions group members that "there is no reason to make harsh fun at anyone or say anything rude about their appearance," invites contact from anyone concerned about the page, and has even posted a photo of a roommate caught in an act of awkwardness.
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William Crawford
To the couples who act inappropriately regarding public displays of affection, I would say should you choose to continue to pursue this avenue in your relationships, then do so off campus and without any visible indication of which university you attend. In so doing, you alone bear culpability for your actions. However, I would remind you that these rules remain in place and enforce for your protection and to instill and teach Christian values, not to make Liberty University a standing pagan joke in the public venue of the internet for the transgression of hypocrisy.
William Crawford
To the creator of this website I would state, “There is no possible way this “mocking” or ridicule of your fellow students and the Liberty Way could be construed as humor. This website is little more than fence post gossip at a time when Christianity as a whole is being called into question and stands in opposition to apostolic command found in 1Ti 5:13 (KJV), which states, “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” Further, as the Lord Jesus Christ said to the Pharisees of his day in John 8:7 (KJV), “So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
Jay
As a Liberty grad, I find the Awkward Couples Fb page highly entertaining. You might hate it, but if anything it's a great inside joke for LU students.
Sabrina Messenger
Sounds to me like some people have nothing better to do if they come up with lame websites like the ones described in the article.
Anon
The asians sleeping in libraries site is in my opinion terribly racist. Would we accept such a site if it were of another racial or minority group caught in a stereotypical situation? And would it make it any better if you post a disclaimer that says you are only trying to celebrate a particular group and will remove the picture is so asked? Why is it open season on Asians and Asian Americans? Why is it okay to stereotype them when it's unacceptable in other situations. I find it no more acceptable than when Evangelical Christians are mocked. And this link shows, briefly, an even more insidious nature of this kind of website: www.dailydot.com/society/asian-stereotype-racism-sleeping-reddit/
Frederica Clemmons
The groups creator cautions group members that there is no reason to make harsh fun at anyone or say anything rude about their appearance, invites contact from anyone concerned about the page, and has even posted a photo of a roommate caught in an act of awkwardness.
Belia Alves
First is the matter of violating peoples privacy by posting their pictures on the internet without their permission. Second is doing so for the sole purpose of mockery.
Daisey Grisham
In fact, whatever wasnt right seemed like a more serious wrong than awkwardness, more serious even than obnoxious PDA, and worse than a rule infraction.
Tim
Anonymous (October 3, 2012 8:58 AM), Larry is referring to 2 Kings 2:23-24. His main point though seems to be that he finds the Bible ridiculous. That makes sense in light of 1 Corinthians 2:14 - "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." Blessings, Tim
Anonymous
LARRY - Old Baldy the prophet who called in she-bears to rip up children who mocked him? In the Bible? I'd have to see it to believe it - can you quote chapter & verse please!
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