Five roughly college-aged people — by appearances only, two boys and three girls — stand in a field. They
Recently, an image surfaced on a college’s social media platform during their welcome week that prompted considerable thought. While the institution will remain unnamed, the graphic itself is a rich tapestry of unintended messaging, worthy of careful examination. This post aims to dissect the layers of this welcome week theme, particularly in relation to the phrase and the Welcome To The Jungle Song, and explore why it falls short of its intended mark.
Surface Level Issues: Image Mismatch and Representation
The initial point of divergence lies in the image chosen to represent “welcome to the jungle.” The graphic features five individuals who appear to be college-aged. While assumptions based on visual cues are inherently risky, initial impressions suggest a lack of alignment with the institution’s diverse student body. Although there’s a hint of racial diversity, notably the woman in the center with hair suggesting Black heritage, the overall group presents as predominantly light-skinned, potentially white-passing. This visual representation contrasts sharply with the reality of a more racially and ethnically diverse student population at the college in question. This disconnect at the visual level raises questions about the broader message being conveyed, particularly when aiming to create an inclusive welcome environment.
Delving Deeper: The Problematic “Jungle” Metaphor
The core issue stems from the central metaphor: “jungle.” What connotations does the word “jungle” immediately evoke? Dictionaries define it as “a place of ruthless struggle for survival” or “a situation in which it is difficult to succeed because a lot of people are competing against each other.” These definitions highlight competition, struggle, and even danger. Is this truly the message a college wants to send to incoming students? Framing the college experience as a “jungle” immediately sets a tone of adversity and potential conflict, hardly embodying the supportive and nurturing environment institutions ideally strive to cultivate, especially during welcome week. The inherent negativity associated with the term “jungle” clashes directly with the intended spirit of welcoming and encouragement.
Tiki Torches: An Unfortunate Aesthetic Choice
Further complicating the message is the graphic’s design, incorporating tiki-like borders. This aesthetic choice introduces another layer of problematic associations. The tiki torch, once a symbol of Polynesian-inspired leisure, has unfortunately become heavily tainted. As highlighted by events in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017, tiki torches became a visual emblem for white nationalist groups during protests. This association, whether intended or not, introduces a highly charged and negative element to the college’s welcome theme. Even without the Charlottesville context, the tiki theme is a misdirection. While tiki culture aimed to evoke a South Pacific vibe, the “jungle” concept typically conjures images far removed from breezy beaches and rum drinks. The incongruity is amplified by reports of tiki-themed wayfinding signs on campus, inexplicably adorned with toucans – birds more at home in rainforests than jungles, and geographically distant from Polynesian culture. This mixing of metaphors – jungle, tiki, toucans – creates a confused and ultimately tone-deaf message.
The “Welcome to the Jungle Song”: Baggage from Guns N’ Roses
The phrase “welcome to the jungle” is inextricably linked to the iconic welcome to the jungle song by Guns N’ Roses, released in 1987. This song, a hard rock anthem of its era, undoubtedly resonates with GenX and older millennials. However, the song’s origins and lyrical content carry significant “baggage” that makes its invocation by a higher education institution questionable. Axl Rose, the song’s lyricist, stated that the lyrics were inspired by a jarring encounter in New York City with a homeless man who ominously declared, “You know where you are? You’re in the jungle baby; you’re gonna die!” Slash, the band’s guitarist, further elaborated, connecting the “jungle” metaphor to the harsh realities of living in “the trenches” of Los Angeles.
Analyzing the lyrics of the welcome to the jungle song reveals even more problematic undertones for a college welcome theme. Consider these excerpts:
“Welcome to the jungle, we got fun and games
We got everything you want, honey, we know the names
We are the people that can find whatever you may need
If you got the money, honey, we got your disease“
These opening lines, suggesting a transactional, even exploitative environment where desires are met “if you got the money,” are jarringly inappropriate for a college setting. The phrase “we got your disease” is particularly unsettling in this context.
“Welcome to the jungle, it gets worse here everyday
You learn to live like an animal in the jungle where we play
If you got a hunger for what you see, you’ll take it eventually
You can have anything you want, but you better not take it from me“
These lines paint a picture of a deteriorating environment, survivalistic instincts, and a dog-eat-dog mentality. The idea of learning to “live like an animal” and the warning “you better not take it from me” are antithetical to the collaborative and supportive ideals of higher education.
“You know where you are?
You’re in the jungle, baby
You’re gonna die“
This repeated bridge, directly referencing the song’s inspiration, culminates in an outright declaration of danger and mortality. To implicitly or explicitly connect this to a college welcome week is deeply misjudged.
Five roughly college-aged people — by appearances only, two boys and three girls — stand in a field. They
College is NOT a Jungle: Reclaiming the Welcome Message
The fundamental disconnect lies in the very premise: college is not, and should not be portrayed as, a jungle. Higher education is intended to be a space for growth, learning, and community building. While challenges and competition are inherent aspects of academic life, framing the entire experience as a “jungle” undermines the supportive structures and collaborative spirit that colleges aim to foster. A welcome week should be about orientation, encouragement, and building a sense of belonging. It should not inadvertently evoke feelings of fear, struggle, or ruthless competition, especially through a theme so heavily loaded with negative connotations from both the dictionary definition and the cultural baggage of the welcome to the jungle song. While the intentions behind the theme were likely positive, the execution demonstrates a significant lack of awareness and cultural sensitivity. Colleges should strive for welcome themes that are inclusive, encouraging, and accurately reflect the supportive and enriching environment they aim to provide, rather than inadvertently signaling a daunting and adversarial “jungle.”
