Perhaps the title is a bit overdramatic considering this is my third editorial, but because I was “compelled” to address the Student Government Association in my last editorial, I wanted to rewind to March 29: CPAC.
As readers of our last issue might have ascertained, CPAC—Castle Point Anime Convention—is an annual convention held in the name of all things pop culture, video games, and, of course, anime. CPAC is an event that occupies nearly every venue on campus, continues to break attendance record, and is consistently the most attended event Stevens hosts. It is also an event I’ve not attend in my three years at Stevens. So I finally did.
For about fours hours collectively, my friends and I walked up and down the Stevens campus, glancing at the swath of cosplayers, visiting the crowded game tournament room in Babbio, and entering and exiting the Artists’ Alley about four times (we were fairly indecisive). From the live performance by the pseudo-Japanese Rainbow Bubble Girls, to the surreal setting of full-on cosplayers eating in Pierce Dining Hall, to the hour and a half spent in the Artists’ Alley, CPAC was really a cool experience. CPAC’s an onslaught of a niche culture that does not hide, appease, or relent: everyone wears their interests on their sleeves. In fact, for a majority of people at CPAC, they did this quite literally.
CPAC can be an overwhelming experience for anyone, especially if you are not attuned to the Japanese or convention cultures. However, having attended New York Comic-Con for the first time last fall, I was comfortable at CPAC. Plus, I’m even an anime viewer. While I’m not quite weeaboo status, I do watch “Assassination Classroom,” and like to infrequently scream “Takeru!” when I’m with my friends.
But why was I so fervently opposed to CPAC in my last two years? If you don’t want to read any further, here’s the answer: I was (and still can be at times), extremely judgmental. I “hated” everything (and still do at times), and automatically put down the idea trying to integrate myself into the wider Stevens community. Despite objections from Past Me, the reality was that I was (and still am to a large degree) introverted. While people who know me might read this and disagree, the truth is that unless I have a comfortable crutch, or feel at ease right away, socializing is not always easy for me. In fact, it’s often pretty difficult.
Being judgmental with friends, knocking others for comedic effect, and having a closed mind aren’t good things (duh). I can tell you that all three of these things still unfortunately apply to me somewhat, but when you experience moments like CPAC, where people are joined together and protected from judgment and naysayers because of their bonds and passions, it sobers you up. Heck, I should know. When I attend a professional wrestling event, I literally become the type of people I scoff at.
Even if it’s fun with your friends, being negative towards others is still not a positive. Don’t forget to take a step back from the vortex of comedy and cynicism occasionally, and see things from a purer angle.
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