Bowen and Twyman discuss the meaning of recent protests at college campuses. The conflict in the Middle East is not black and white but nuanced and complex, despite many believing they know the answer at the age of 21. Bowen and Twyman begin the episode with a review of a recent incident at the University of Mississippi between a black female protestor and a group of white frat boys, including one who chose to make monkey sounds as provocation. Are we witnessing an epidemic of cosplay throughout the land? Bowen and Twyman tackle this question through the lens of dogma, slogan words, and the use of clothing as political symbol. Should one wear the Star of David at a pro-Palestine protest, for example? The answers are not easy, save for the insight that the right side of history is non-conforming. Bowen and Twyman conclude with the profound observation that white Southerners are the only defeated Americans living on American soil. People should not be forever stained with the history of their region.

Show notes:

• Wink’s “The Burbank Happening and Other Signs of Intelligent Life”
• Wink’s “A Profile in Courage: Sahar Tartak”
• Adam Gussow’s “The Freest Thing on Earth”