University of Virginia Library

The Idea Is Unity

By Paul Larsen

The type of community alliance that will
further better understanding between people,
between factions, between races. It is
for today, to bring all parts of this
University together, and it is for tomorrow,
to collect donations which will help the
University fulfill its obligations to the
people of this country.

Transition, as I understand the word,
means to effect change. As it is used here
the connotation is given that the University
is attempting to accomplish transformation.

As I use the word, I would also like to
think that it also means a change in people.
The University seems to be doing everything
possible, in its traditionally slow-paced way,
to bring together people of different races
ideas, sexes and thought.

What the Transitional Fund Concert next
Sunday is supporting is not only the
University's goal, but perhaps the idea that
unity and social change can compliment
each other to exchange an outdated
institution and a forgotten mode of thought
for a more progressive university and
people.

That the University, indeed the nation, is
undergoing change is obvious. For some the
means are steeped in violence and destruction.
For others there seems to be a more
peaceful way of bringing together diverse
ideologies.

Music is often spoken of as the universal
equalizer. There seems to be some logic to
the thought that when different people are
brought together to share with each other
the beauty of nature and the peace of
music, they will somehow find a new
tolerance of each other and each other's
ideas.

The concert on Sunday will begin on the
Lawn at 2 p.m. and will be open to all
members of the University community.
Donations will be solicited by passing the
hat. Folk, Rock, Jazz and Classical music
will be performed by musicians living in the
Charlottesville area and poetry will be read
by some of the University's poets.