By Pat McNamara and Jack McNeil | Contributors
Melon and gourd is one of Taylor's most well-known traditions. Third West Wengatz runs around campus juking, dodging and hiding while cradling the melon or gourd. It seems innocent until you consider the injustice inflicted upon the melon and gourd. They're stuffed in backpacks and plastic bags, dropped on sidewalks and are even bitten. How can we, the Taylor community, overlook the melon's and the gourd's suffering? Did you know that 0 percent of Taylor students have ever been melons? As students that have never been fruits, it's difficult for us to empathize with the victims. Upon approaching the PA of the wing to bring this problem to light, senior Will Schaufelberger said, "Melon and Gourd… bad… for… melon." We were appalled at this statement, and we thought there was one person on campus that could put an end to this madness: President P. Lowell Haines. Surprisingly, President Haines did not comment on this topic (to be fair, we never asked for a comment). The final perspective to bring to light is that of the melon. A local melon, who wishes to stay anonymous, said, "…". Though his words were few, the melon was clearly opposed to the tradition. We must be united against melon and gourd through peaceful protest. The protest will take place at the melon and gourd finish line next Friday at 10 a.m. To stand in solidarity against melon and gourd, wear clothes to the event. Use your melon. Protest melon and gourd.
