Spring Break
Cornerstones won't bite (7/2/08)
Tyler Vogler
Issue date: 7/2/08 Section: Opinion
That time of the year is upon us again. It's that dreaded week where young adults from all over the country trek to a small plot outside Bushnell to camp out and listen to the live bands at the Cornerstone Festival.
I was minding my own business in the toothpaste aisle of everyone's favorite one-stop-shopping outlet when I suddenly found myself in a conversation with a polite elderly woman.
"Look at that," she said, her voice low and stern as she clutched her purse close to her chest. "I don't trust them. They're different."
Before I said anything, I instinctively looked over her shoulder, secretly expecting to see a flock of lawyers or Republican spokespeople.
What stood at the opposite end of the aisle was far less intimidating (or entertaining, for that matter). Instead, it was a group of four teenagers: two guys with spiky, crimson-dyed hair, tight jeans and band T-shirts; one sporting long dreadlocks; and a girl with heavy eye makeup trying to decide if she wanted Crest with Scope or Peppermint.
I've heard some locals refer to them as "The Cornerstoners."
I know that Macomb is in a rural area. I know there is little - alright, without Western Illinois University, practically no - diversity. I know that the woman was elderly and not used to seeing so many colors on one head of hair. I just find it pretty shocking that people still think like this. It's not like the lady was in alone in a dark alley - it was 5:30 in the afternoon in the brightly-lit, well-traveled aisles of Wal-Mart. Did she expect the four kids to push her down and beat her into submission with her polished mahogany cane until she gave up her purse?
I have seen the looks that locals give Cornerstone patrons, and I have to pose a serious question: What makes them so unworthy of respect and common courtesy? I remember listening to a couple talking about the Cornerstone phenomenon, each telling inflated tales of how unkempt and strange the visitors were. The whole situation reminds me of the distaste that some locals seem to have for the loud, rowdy, alcohol-bingeing college set (that same college set that makes up a solid 40% of the town's population).
Is this exclusive to Macomb, or does it happen all over the country?
Yes, the people might be "different" then what you're used to, but is it too much to ask to give them common courtesy and save the strange glances and suspicious attitudes? Perhaps the locals should take into account the money that the Cornerstone crowd brings to local businesses. Perhaps, more importantly, locals should take into account the fact that, despite the strange fashion statements and loud music, those going to Cornerstone are regular people - just like the rest of Macomb's upstanding citizens.
I was minding my own business in the toothpaste aisle of everyone's favorite one-stop-shopping outlet when I suddenly found myself in a conversation with a polite elderly woman.
"Look at that," she said, her voice low and stern as she clutched her purse close to her chest. "I don't trust them. They're different."
Before I said anything, I instinctively looked over her shoulder, secretly expecting to see a flock of lawyers or Republican spokespeople.
What stood at the opposite end of the aisle was far less intimidating (or entertaining, for that matter). Instead, it was a group of four teenagers: two guys with spiky, crimson-dyed hair, tight jeans and band T-shirts; one sporting long dreadlocks; and a girl with heavy eye makeup trying to decide if she wanted Crest with Scope or Peppermint.
I've heard some locals refer to them as "The Cornerstoners."
I know that Macomb is in a rural area. I know there is little - alright, without Western Illinois University, practically no - diversity. I know that the woman was elderly and not used to seeing so many colors on one head of hair. I just find it pretty shocking that people still think like this. It's not like the lady was in alone in a dark alley - it was 5:30 in the afternoon in the brightly-lit, well-traveled aisles of Wal-Mart. Did she expect the four kids to push her down and beat her into submission with her polished mahogany cane until she gave up her purse?
I have seen the looks that locals give Cornerstone patrons, and I have to pose a serious question: What makes them so unworthy of respect and common courtesy? I remember listening to a couple talking about the Cornerstone phenomenon, each telling inflated tales of how unkempt and strange the visitors were. The whole situation reminds me of the distaste that some locals seem to have for the loud, rowdy, alcohol-bingeing college set (that same college set that makes up a solid 40% of the town's population).
Is this exclusive to Macomb, or does it happen all over the country?
Yes, the people might be "different" then what you're used to, but is it too much to ask to give them common courtesy and save the strange glances and suspicious attitudes? Perhaps the locals should take into account the money that the Cornerstone crowd brings to local businesses. Perhaps, more importantly, locals should take into account the fact that, despite the strange fashion statements and loud music, those going to Cornerstone are regular people - just like the rest of Macomb's upstanding citizens.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Caring
posted 7/04/08 @ 7:25 AM CST
My son is playing Cornerstone this week with a band called Awakener. They are from the Warner Robins, Georgia area.These guys are truly just normal guys. (Continued…)
Post a Comment