I remember towards the end of last school year. There had been problems in my high school getting people to sign up to be on the newspaper.
On the last day where people could choose to take the class, I walked into the classroom of the person who was going to be the advisor this year to get a status report. She simply put her hand in the air. The teacher said nothing, but the high five said everything.
That’s the true magic of a high five. It says what words can’t. It says “everything is going to be all right,” and “we can do anything we put our minds to,” and of course “I love ya’ man.”
And as I am sure you are all well aware, tomorrow is the fourth annual “National High Five Day.”
It began at the University of Virginia in 2002. The man who is considered to be the true visionary of the holiday is Sam Miotke. Wynn Walent and Conor Lastowka are the second and third founders of the holiday which makes them the Buzz Aldrin and Pete Conrad (Pete Conrad was the third man on the moon) of NH5D. Nevertheless, these are all men who have wisdom and vision far beyond their years.
They have made a contribution to the world and to the overall greater of good that none of us will ever be able to fully comprehend. These men are heroes who have risked their lives for as they call it a “higher purpose.” This purpose is the simple, yet profound high five.
Lastowka (in conversation, I always say “the great” after uttering the name of any of the founders) answered a couple of questions via e-mail about high fives, and the holiday.
He has a theory that the reason some people don’t like high fiving is from bad childhood experiences. However, just because one style of high five might not behoove one person, there are a myriad of ways in which it can be done.
I think all good-hearted people enjoy a high five every now and again. I know I do.
I myself have always been partial to the double high five. Incoming Undergraduate Student Government President Aaron Shumaker likes the classic high five, with the occasional “oops, that’s your head not your face high five.”
Interfraternity council president Andy Crockett likes the jumping high five, while philosophy department chairman David Sobal said he likes the “jumping high five, followed by a down low before coming down.”
It would certainly take a skilled highfivesmen to accomplish that feat. I might have to try that one tomorrow. I know I’ll be in the full spirit of the season.
And similar to what the founding fathers did on the first High Five Day, some of my friends and I will be in the Union tomorrow (from 9 – 11 a.m.) high fiving people like there’s no tomorrow. Sure, to some, the other people who have tables setup are doing so for “more important” issues, such as tuition, and helping the environment, and whatever else is down their.
But what is more important than the unity that two people get when they exchange in a high five? For that is a moment that transcends time.
So remember tomorrow as you walk around campus to not be shy, and to put your hand up in the air as if you just don’t care when you walk past perfect strangers, or dear old friends on campus.
In the e-mail, I asked Lastowka if he considered himself to be a hero. He said, “Yes. National High Five Day allows me to walk past the homeless without dropping a dime in their empty can with a clear conscience. ‘No, no’ I say. ‘I have no change for you today. Instead, I have given you — and yay — all of humanity, a far greater gift. I have founded National High Five Day, a day to untie all of mankind by the unspoken, international bond of the high five. No no … don’t get up to shake my hand. You sir, are undoubtedly contagious.'”
Josh does not recognize the following alternative body greeting holidays: National Chest Thump Day, International Pretend Your Finger Is A Gun Day or American Wet Willie Week. Despite his intolerance for non-high five holidays, send him an e-high five at [email protected].