Cornhuskin’ is a Meredith tradition which has sparked many discussions on its potentially controversial history. These discussions aim to revise the tradition to encourage more student involvement, and make it more inclusive. The previous article about revisions made for Cornhuskin’ 2023 was based on the Traditions Review Committee (TRC) meeting held on Sept. 18, where the TRC presented recent changes made to Corn. The TRC also gave a brief overview of Cornhuskin’s history to address concerns about the racial implications of the tradition.
After the previous article was published, Kacey Reynolds Schedler, an MRA advisor and Assistant Director of the Office of Student Leadership Service (SLS) clarified that the TRC was not responsible for the revisions made to Cornhuskin’, but the Meredith Recreation Association (MRA) made them. In addition to this, Reynolds Schedler added that the TRC supports the changes as they reflect the concerns of the student body. Reynolds Schedler mentioned that both organizations, the MRA and SLS, have been working towards making Corn more accessible and inclusive. She emphasized that “the changes made by the MRA” were supported by the data that was collected in that survey. Additionally, “TRC supports the changes made to Corn 2023 since these changes were confirmed as important to the student body through the survey findings.” The TRC presented these findings to support the changes made to Corn 2023 based on student feedback.
Dr. Fountain, Professor of History, provided further insight on Cornhuskin’s discriminatory history and shared multiple sources of information. Dr. Fountain shared sample articles from Meredith students that show how these “students romanticized plantation life and were familiar with Corn Shuckings as a celebratory feature of antebellum plantation life.” Dr. Fountain argues that Meredith students in the 1940’s “grew up in communities where celebrations of Old South corn shuckings were plentiful” and that the regional meaning of such was not “lost on them” despite the argument that “[Meredith’s] Cornhuskin’ is different because a Midwestern professor oversaw the first iterations of it.” The previous article about the TRC meeting noted that Cornhuskin’ was intended to celebrate feminism because women were not allowed to participate in husking corn in the Midwest. However, corn husking relates largely to slavery since corn is a primary crop in the United States and especially in the South, where slaveowners depended on slave labor to harvest corn according to Dr. Fountain.
Dr. Fountain explains that the Cornhuskin’ tradition at Meredith College parallels Corn Shucking celebrations that occurred in the South during slavery. Dr. Fountain shared that “While the specific elements of the Cornhuskin’ competitions have evolved or changed over time they have routinely featured farm related competitions (e.g. shucking corn), singing, and skits.”He described corn shucking as “agricultural work rituals that combined competitions, food, drink, song, and dance into end of the harvest labor.” In these rituals, shucking crews competed against each other to see who could shuck their pile of corn the fastest. These competitions are similar to the Meredith tradition of competition between undergraduate classes during Cornhuskin’s main event. In the historical context, winners of the corn shucking competitions would receive “tasty and usually forbidden” treats from slaveholders they would not otherwise receive according to Dr. Fountain. He shared that “These work rituals provided the enslaved with an outlet for connecting with people, including family, from other farms and were opportunities to enjoy oneself during a long season of work.” Dr. Fountain emphasized that “white children and students are imitating the old plantation rituals as entertainment” referring to the Dogwood tradition held on campus at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, which is similar to Meredith’s Cornhuskin’ tradition.
Given Cornhuskin’s historical associations, it is a debated topic among students and staff for various reasons. Work is still being done to promote inclusivity among students, and part of that involves educating students about the origin and history of Corn.
By Elaina Irving, Contibuting Writer
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