Program director: Everyone has a story to tell

When I first reached Bluffton at 10 p.m., hungry and fatigued by a 765-mile drive from the state of Rhode Island, I was filled with doubts. Would this be more of the same? More pensive, questioning stares from white people? Will there be more paralyzing anxiety resulting from questions like, “What are you doing in this part of town?” or statements like “It’s good to see a black person here, I guess this proves that we aren’t like Starbucks”? 

My worries about the town subsided as soon as I entered Luke’s that night. South Main Street was empty and phantasmal, drastically contrasting the liveliness and pure joy that enveloped me as I entered Luke’s on karaoke night. There was no awkward silence as I arrived. 

There were some long looks, but I’m more inclined to believe it had to do with the odd pair that just walked in at 10 at night—a middle-aged bald New England white man and a much younger (dashingly handsome) black man who desperately needed a haircut. The lack of attention was a breath of fresh air after three months of scrutiny to my skin color, social class and hair.

It was more of the same when we pulled up to Ropp Hall on Move-in Day. I was not greeted with double takes, long stares or awkward, unnecessary questions or statements. Instead, I was met with smiles, substantial questions about who I am and assistance with my belongings, which happened to be my entire life stuffed into the back of a truck.

You might be asking by now, “What’s the point of this? What is the relevance of this newcomer’s experience coming to our town? Just because he had a good experience at Luke’s, he expects us to think everything is perfect here?”

I will meet these doubts and skepticisms with this: I do not think world views and perceptions are perfect in the village of Bluffton (what even is “perfect?”). I definitely don’t believe perceptions are much better in regard to the population at the university. 

What I do think is, Bluffton has something unique that many places in the country lack. The Village of Bluffton and Bluffton University, as a whole, appear receptive to tolerance and open to difficult conversations. That is the message I’ve been receiving during my time here. I think it is beautiful and courageous.

I am Kai Smith, the new program director for 96.1 The Wit, Bluffton University’s campus radio station. I am from Washington, D.C, a small city that happens to be the nation’s Capitol, known for our sweet and tangy sauce called Mambo Sauce, our unique genre of music founded by Chuck Brown (Go-Go), and lastly, known for housing the most controversial and powerful figures of our nation.

For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in hearing peoples’ stories. On the train, I’m the annoying guy who asks you about yourself while you are trying to hide inside of a book. In restaurants, I’m the guy who makes you late for serving another table because I want to know how your shift has been and how you started working there.

I’m the guy who wants to hear why you personally voted for Trump, not so I can immediately jump down your throat and judge your voting decisions, but because I know that you are a person with experiences and thoughts and rights. I may disagree with the choice of book you’re reading on the train or think that you could be doing bigger and better things other than serving tables. I could even possibly disagree with your choices in the election. But I earnestly just want to have the conversation.

Convincing people of things is over my head. I was not put on this earth to change anyone’s mind. What I believe I am here to do, and what I envision for 96.1 The Wit, is to facilitate conversations and remind people of one theme that I feel people forget much too often: everyone has a story to tell, an adversity to overcome and a right to be known and respected as a human being.

My hope for 96.1 The Wit is to get you talking within your families and social groups about things going on in the nation, in the county and in this community. I want to get your voices on the radio. I want our stories to be heard. Everywhere I have gone, without fail, there have been amazing stories told by amazing people. 

Our campus radio station is a resource, a platform for stories to be shared. Use it. Let your voice be known to the community. Make yourself known. Be a source of growth and communication for your community. 

Thank you for hearing my story, now let’s hear yours.

 

Kai Smith,

2019-20 Program director

 

Editor’s note: Those interested in connecting to learn more about getting involved with 96.1 The Wit may email Kai Smith at smikwa [at] bluffton.edu.