When I was at uni I was involved in two student movements: Students For Christ and the political group against fee increases. I realised one time that they were having an event on the same day: the Christians were doing an Easter drama depicting the passion of Christ, while the activists had scheduled a protest.
(I wanted Jesus to be depicted as a woman. I thought it would show people a different side to Jesus and cause them to think deeply and ask questions. I rang up Kate, who was a leader, and told her my idea. She said, “Hmmm…”. I asked one of the other leaders and he said, “Hmmm…” as well. The idea never got up.)
On the day, one of the Christian students (a man) walked around on the main lawn with a cross pretending to be Jesus. A group of Christians followed behind, handing out tracts and pretending to be disciples. At the same time, the activists wore t-shirts that said “Welcome to the degree factory” and chanted slogans. They were on the main lawn too. I just stood and watched.
Then all the sirens went off in the university, so the whole campus was evacuated onto the lawn. Everybody was pretty shitty, except for the Christians and the activists.
The Christians said, “This is a great blessing, because people can hear our message!”
The activists said, “The student body is finally beginning to see how oppressed it is, and is coming out in droves to protest!”
For a while after that, in meetings, everybody was in a really good mood.
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Ha - yes I remember that very dramatic day! Some of the people who were forced out onto the lawn by the fire alarm and had to watch us got very angry as they thought we were using Jesus and Easter to make a dramatic political protest. It was encouraging that people cared enough to shout! They were ok when I explained. You would have been an excellent female depiction of Jesus. Ha - imagine the chaos/confusion for people in that scenario!
He he what a funny day! I mainly remember the Socialist on the megaphone: "Monash students are finally beginning to revolt - people are coming out in droves to support this action!" It was so ridiculous.
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