From the pulpit
The blustery March wind blew through John Hayman's long, partially dred-locked hair as he stood on the Lawn yesterday afternoon. A self-described "full-time activist and vendor," the balding, fully bearded man, clad in hiking boots and circular mirrored sunglasses, shouted out his social and political views to passing students near Brown College earlier in the day.
Many brushed off the eccentric-looking man as just a local hippie. But besides bringing character and color to the Lawn, Hayman, originally from Maine, brought issues as well.
"I was discussing education earlier," Hayman said in a distinctly New England accent. "Education should help people feel as free as possible in expressing their thoughts. Learning about computers decreases interaction and ends up putting people out of work."
Hayman is no stranger to the University - he has been on Grounds four or five times before.
"I was kicked out for speaking about Iraq," he said. He added that he also stopped in Charlottesville while hiking the Appalachian Trail.
During the presidential campaigns, Hayman said he encouraged people not to vote at all.
"I believe in democracy, but I don't think we really have one ... I don't think we need a president - it's hierarchical," he asserted.
An aspiring farmer, one of Hayman's main issues is the support of natural and organic sources of energy and modes of production.
To promote this cause, Hayman is organizing a walk/bike ride across the country to start in April. The goal, stated in a flyer that Hayman distributes, is to "help stop the production of the means of destruction while promoting ecologically based solutions."
Being out on street corners and on Grounds talking with people opens up communication and gets people to rethink certain ideas, Hayman said.
In the middle of the flood of jeans-clad students hurrying to classes, Hayman's eccentric presence was a break from the mainstream.
Compiled by Julie Hofler
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