Describing the fall of France in World War 2, French Air Force veteran Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote, “We felt we were living through the death agony of France. We were witnessing the end of the world.” One cannot help but be reminded of these somber words observing the scene of American University’s designated smoke spot being closed due to the federal government’s shutdown. Nestled along Nebraska Avenue, the hazy oasis sat empty with only a sign reading “CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE / ORDER OF OFFICE of MANAGEMENT and BUDGET.” Disappointed students, previously unaware of the shutdown, shuffled along with their heads hung low.
As any attentive American University student learns during orientation, the university is federally-chartered property, hence the strictly enforced and faithfully abided by ban on marijuana use on campus, despite its legality in the District. However, an unexpected byproduct of this status is that the shutdown of the federal government results in the smoke spot eventually ceasing operations as well. Until Congress reaches a budget agreement, the smoke spot has been forced to reduce its operations to “essential” smokers only. However, this distinction has caused much controversy among the students.
“There is no logic to how they decide [who is and is not a non-essential smoker],” claimed Martin, a junior and international student from Europe. “Just because we are students, the federal government says we are less essential and less deserving of a little dart than workers or National Guardsmen.”
While it is still early in the shutdown, many students denied smoke spot access expressed optimism that Congressional Democrats and Republicans would come to the negotiating table soon, and the smoke spot would reopen promptly. Others offered a far more pessimistic outlook on the shutdown.
“It really just goes to show how the shutdown punishes the little man, while the fat cats smoke away waiting to negotiate,” stated one student solemnly, a sophomore CLEG major whose Pantera t-shirt was visibly dampened with tears. “Mike Johnson just doesn’t understand what it’s like to lose this. He just doesn’t get it.”
Some students have remained so committed to their work that they have begun taking drastic measures to get around the smoke spot closure. Defying the shutdown, small, dedicated groups have resorted to sneaking into the smoke spot at night to avoid their furlough status and continue operations. Under the cover of darkness, the federal shutdown is quietly ignored. However, the shutdown has put a strain on the spirit of even the most dedicated students.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one dedicated student described the struggles of defying the smoke spot shutdown as a non-essential smoker.
“We won’t let a futile act of political theater in a declining empire take the spot from us,” she said. “But by the time we get to smoke at night, Qdoba and Subway are closed, so like, what’s the point, you know?”
Despite these struggles, on Tuesday, a brazen act of defiance challenged the shutdown as the deserted smoke spot became the scene of one student’s bold protest. A young man, a KOGOD business major, shocked onlookers as he calmly marched over the closure notice and lit up a poorly-rolled joint.
When asked about his demonstration against the shutdown, the man replied incredulously, asking, “What? The government can shut down? Like the whole thing? Who is doing the laws?” One can only assume the protester was being sarcastic.
Leave a Reply