Confessions of a College-age Drama Queen: Getting to know London's culture
Though this is my second year at Fanshawe, most of my first-year companions went on to other things and thus I had to repeat the activity of friend finding this fall.
During my attempts at acquaintancy this year, I have come to notice that there is a standard script which one goes through in order to discover the “important” information about potential pals. “What program are you in?” “Is this your first year?” “What other classes do you have?” and of course “Where are you from?” It is this last question that I have found to be of particular interest and indeed concern because I just so happen to be a towny.
Yes, it's true, I was born and raised in London, Ontario and though I have never met discrimination from outsiders for not leaving my city in order to attend school, I have noticed a sense of shame from many fellow Londoners when they dare to admit they were born in the same town where they are now attending college. My inquiry of “are you originally from London” is most often met with a grimaced face and a hesitant response of “yah…unfortunately.”
Now, I know London isn't perfect. Our media is painfully conservative (present publication excluded), our roads are congested, our arts scene can be difficult to discern, our municipal government is generally lacking and we don't have an Ikea. However, is this enough to blacklist us? Must townies feel that we can't admit our Forest City affiliation, even to one another?
Over the years I have watched as many fellow-Londoners have fled to the supposedly more prolific locales of Vancouver, Toronto, Stratford, Halifax and the very popular “anywhere but here.” But I have remained. I must admit, during my days of disenchanted youth, I too felt the urge to wonder. I would complain that London was too boring, too small, too traditional, too disorganized, and too cliquey for a woman of the world such as me. Then, fate moved me to Strathroy for a year and did my tune ever change. Not that the little town northeast of London isn't quaint and interesting in its own right, I just missed home.
Upon my valiant return to London I became increasingly interested in its history and culture and as such no longer felt a need to leave. Though I am by no means an expert, my appreciation for London remains and continues to pique my interest.
Recently, I attended the fabulous, second annual “Lost Soul Stroll,” which combines outdoor theatre with gruesome, local stories. I assumed that most people on the tour would be as interested in London's history as myself but was sadly faced with a crowd who didn't seem to know much about our little settlement on the Thames. In fact, when the tour guide made a hilarious joke about “John Simcoe's locker” being 17 feet down I was almost embarrassed to find only my companion and myself laughing. Though this may speak to an unpopular sense of humour, I am more inclined to believe that it suggests Londoners know very little about their city.
Currently, many of London's historic attractions are facing the possibility of closing for good. The Guy Lombardo Museum (located at 205 Wonderland Rd. S phone: 519-473-9003), Fanshawe Pioneer Village (www.fanshawepioneervillage.com) and the Museum of Archaeology (www.uwo.ca/museum/) are just a few places that have struggled to remain open to the public. Though many Londoners are quick to blame under-funding from the government, they fail to realize that local apathy and dwindling attendance are significant contributors to the problems faced by these historic attractions.
That's right, my fellow townies, you are part of the problem. London has 13 museums that have either reasonably low, by donation or free admission. There are 37 historic plaques around the city and countless historic sites that are free to look at any time you want. How could it possibly be “unfortunate” to come from a city that is so rich with an interesting heritage, the knowledge of which is readily available to anyone who asks for it? Readers, I strongly encourage all of you, townies and outsiders alike, to take an interest in this fine city. Visit a museum, read a plaque, or look up at the Dominion Public Building every once in while when you are waiting in line at the Phoenix and with any luck, the same felt by towny students will be a thing of the past.
For more information regarding London historical attractions visit www.dotydocs.com or www.london.ca
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
During my attempts at acquaintancy this year, I have come to notice that there is a standard script which one goes through in order to discover the “important” information about potential pals. “What program are you in?” “Is this your first year?” “What other classes do you have?” and of course “Where are you from?” It is this last question that I have found to be of particular interest and indeed concern because I just so happen to be a towny.
Yes, it's true, I was born and raised in London, Ontario and though I have never met discrimination from outsiders for not leaving my city in order to attend school, I have noticed a sense of shame from many fellow Londoners when they dare to admit they were born in the same town where they are now attending college. My inquiry of “are you originally from London” is most often met with a grimaced face and a hesitant response of “yah…unfortunately.”
Now, I know London isn't perfect. Our media is painfully conservative (present publication excluded), our roads are congested, our arts scene can be difficult to discern, our municipal government is generally lacking and we don't have an Ikea. However, is this enough to blacklist us? Must townies feel that we can't admit our Forest City affiliation, even to one another?
Over the years I have watched as many fellow-Londoners have fled to the supposedly more prolific locales of Vancouver, Toronto, Stratford, Halifax and the very popular “anywhere but here.” But I have remained. I must admit, during my days of disenchanted youth, I too felt the urge to wonder. I would complain that London was too boring, too small, too traditional, too disorganized, and too cliquey for a woman of the world such as me. Then, fate moved me to Strathroy for a year and did my tune ever change. Not that the little town northeast of London isn't quaint and interesting in its own right, I just missed home.
Upon my valiant return to London I became increasingly interested in its history and culture and as such no longer felt a need to leave. Though I am by no means an expert, my appreciation for London remains and continues to pique my interest.
Recently, I attended the fabulous, second annual “Lost Soul Stroll,” which combines outdoor theatre with gruesome, local stories. I assumed that most people on the tour would be as interested in London's history as myself but was sadly faced with a crowd who didn't seem to know much about our little settlement on the Thames. In fact, when the tour guide made a hilarious joke about “John Simcoe's locker” being 17 feet down I was almost embarrassed to find only my companion and myself laughing. Though this may speak to an unpopular sense of humour, I am more inclined to believe that it suggests Londoners know very little about their city.
Currently, many of London's historic attractions are facing the possibility of closing for good. The Guy Lombardo Museum (located at 205 Wonderland Rd. S phone: 519-473-9003), Fanshawe Pioneer Village (www.fanshawepioneervillage.com) and the Museum of Archaeology (www.uwo.ca/museum/) are just a few places that have struggled to remain open to the public. Though many Londoners are quick to blame under-funding from the government, they fail to realize that local apathy and dwindling attendance are significant contributors to the problems faced by these historic attractions.
That's right, my fellow townies, you are part of the problem. London has 13 museums that have either reasonably low, by donation or free admission. There are 37 historic plaques around the city and countless historic sites that are free to look at any time you want. How could it possibly be “unfortunate” to come from a city that is so rich with an interesting heritage, the knowledge of which is readily available to anyone who asks for it? Readers, I strongly encourage all of you, townies and outsiders alike, to take an interest in this fine city. Visit a museum, read a plaque, or look up at the Dominion Public Building every once in while when you are waiting in line at the Phoenix and with any luck, the same felt by towny students will be a thing of the past.
For more information regarding London historical attractions visit www.dotydocs.com or www.london.ca
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
