Let us not be ignorant. This is a statement, not meant to discriminate against any religious group, but a statement calling for a logical assessment of the issue at hand.
Many recent debates over the uncovering of religious stained-glass windows in Rollins Chapel have led to calls for the boards to be taken off these windows so that they be restored for all to see.
While no one is completely sure what these windows depict, we do know that they are religious images. Student Assembly voted Jan. 13 to provide architect John Wilson $500 to remove the boards and reveal the windows. I support this idea; leaving these windows covered would be the equivalent of finding an archeological site rich with artifacts and throwing more dirt on top of it.
But I would like to note that once these windows see the light, they will not just disappear. What is to be done after they are uncovered? We must be careful not to devolve from a secular institution to our Protestant roots. Surely there are many students here, regardless of faith, that would have thought twice about coming to Dartmouth if it were religiously affiliated. We didn't come here to look at giant images of Jesus. We came here to reflect upon ourselves, to discover who we are, to learn and prosper without the image of the Lord staring down upon us.
Dartmouth's roots should not be forgotten, but the College's new ideals should not be disrespected, either.
The plans for the windows at Rollins, once they are uncovered, include a large clean-up and restoration effort. Then what will we have? Bright, colorful, conspicuous images that appeal to Protestants? What will be of the non-protestants that hold services in the chapel?
And what of the Jews, the Catholics, the Muslims, the Buddhists, the Hindus, the non-practicing that walk by each day? This is a diverse college. This is not an institution that flaunts one single view.
The argument in support of the restoration labels the windows as art, mentioning renowned designers such as Louis Tiffany. This is an inarguable point. The windows should be considered art. But you will not find paintings of Jesus in airports, near national monuments, libraries, or other public places that are not religiously affiliated. This is because we all know that art can be very controversial.
So, since these windows are art, treat them as such. Do not cover them up. Reveal them, clean them, and restore them. But remove them. Take them out and place them in a museum. Make them a part of the Hood Museum's permanent collection. Treat art like art, and people will appreciate it more.
If you see someone walking around campus with a picture of Jesus pinned to their backpack, you will automatically believe that person is Christian. If you see images of Jesus on a building in the middle of the campus, you will feel that the College is religiously affiliated. Keep in mind that not everyone wants this, Protestant or not.
It would be a shame to keep those windows covered, but it would also be a shame to leave them where they are. Reveal them and remove them. Respect them with proper care in a museum, and replace them. Replace them with clear, non-offending windows. Let there be light inside Rollins Chapel. Only let it be clear light. Let us not be ignorant.
