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BYU's 'Cloak Boy' — Student surprised by support after some objections to his folk singing
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Leave him be.... | 5:12 p.m. March 26, 2008
he is not doing anything harmful to the public. He is a Math major so he is
obviously briliant but maybe a little on the different side. People should get
a life and leave him be. That's my 25 cent on this story....
19 years old | 5:16 p.m. March 26, 2008
When does he become "Cloak-Man"???
The nick name is demaning.
The nick name is demaning.
re 19 years old | 5:16 p.m | 5:35 p.m. March 26, 2008
Cloak boy is more fun than Cloak Man, either way he has given us all something
to talk about.
Comments continue below
Anonymous | 5:42 p.m. March 26, 2008
He isn't the only one who sings on campus. One time I was standing outside
of the SWKT talking on the phone, and someone came out of the doors, stood at
the top of the stairs, and sang a solo. They had the arms out and everything.
I figure, if someone wants to sing, you might as well let them. It doesn't
hurt anyone. I admit, I would be embarrassed to do it myself. But they can go
ahead and sing. It's a little weird, yes. But so are a lot of other
things that we do that are seen as acceptable, like caring about this, something
so trivial, so much. Let him sing! Go, cloak boy, go!
byronic hero | 5:42 p.m. March 26, 2008
Somebody should give Cloak boy a little puppy to keep him company.
Reality. | 5:57 p.m. March 26, 2008
Amen, only in Provo. Someone should let the populace of Provo know that Napoleon
Dynamite has already been dragged and beaten by the occupiers of Utah County.
Well--they gotta find something to do with their spare time besides the Malt
Shoppe and University Mall.
Anonymous rides again | 5:55 p.m. March 26, 2008
Dear Jaye:
Get help. As soon as possible.
Get help. As soon as possible.
This is not a story | 6:39 p.m. March 26, 2008
A student who sings to make himself feel better. The story should be about all
the miserable people who have to take blows at him, the university, and whoever
else comes in their path. Maybe some of you hateful people should try singing.
DesNews readers need some meds! the comments are like sitting in a psychiatrists
office. Smile you miserable crazies!!
OK, Whatever... | 6:56 p.m. March 26, 2008
Let the kid sing. He�s not hurting anybody. And so what if
he wants to wear a cloak.....How is that any weirder than a church full of
people who wear magic underwear?
CougarKeith | 7:04 p.m. March 26, 2008
Sounds to me like he should be going to school at the State Mental Hospital, but
hey, he has the right to sing if he wants, sounds like he belongs at UVSC or
Utah? Whatever...
BYU girl | 7:57 p.m. March 26, 2008
"Only at BYU???" Come on, you all can't tell me that other
campuses are devoid of slightly eccentric, socially awkward people. Those people
are going to be anywhere, inside or outside of Utah. As for the other anti-BYU
remarks, that's what you call ignorant stereotyping. I would know what most
BYU students are like, and most of them are plenty unique- there's more to
a person than their clothes, you know.
CHR | 9:03 p.m. March 26, 2008
I see the BYU cookie cutter is still active and in use. It has been since the
60s when I went there. There is a certain standard the church expects, that is
great, but what about the "topping", why can't we have more
diversity and change? As the church grows and brings in more people of various
cultures and styles we have to learn to be a little more accepting, as long as
the basics are covered. So what if he wears a cape, is he morally upright? Is
he a member in good standing? Does he live the Gospel? Is he a loving person?
Then so what if he sings wearing a cape. I say listen to his music, does he
have a great voice? Is he original? Did he brighten your day? Did he make
you smile? Did he make your day a little better? Then more power to him, and
more understanding to every one else.
Hang in there little brother.
Hang in there little brother.
Anonymous | 8:58 p.m. March 26, 2008
Anonymous rides again...I am not your 'dear' anything.
I have all the help I require. It's found within the Holy Bible, and the code of common courtesy.
I have all the help I require. It's found within the Holy Bible, and the code of common courtesy.
A good | 11:06 p.m. March 26, 2008
friend of mine at MIT was like this kid, always happy and singing where ever he
goes. A genuis with a very active mind who is now working in the aerospace
industry.
As long as he is not doing any harm to himself or the public he should be left alone. Relax people.
As long as he is not doing any harm to himself or the public he should be left alone. Relax people.
kendo | 11:51 p.m. March 26, 2008
I'm surprised this is a news story and how intolerance can so easily rear
its head. Can we not express our individuality and freedom naturally by singing
for joy and pleasure without being judged by others? Isn't it totally
superficial to label someone by an item of clothing they choose to wear? There
is no problem here except some people's mindset and willingness to judge
others by appearances. I hope this brother can find joy in education and music
throughout his life and share his joy and love with others. Would that we had a
few more like him!
bd | 8:09 a.m. March 27, 2008
having attended BYU and graduated from the U I always find it hilarious when
Utes call BYU cookie cutter. BYU is probably the most ethnically diverse and
unique schools in the world. If you want cookie cutter and blase, go to the U.
You'll feel nice and cozy with boring white folks who look, dress and act
just like you
Catherine | 8:25 a.m. March 27, 2008
I can't believe no one here has mentioned the Society for Creative
Anachronism. There is a global club of people who like to recreate the arts and
skills of pre-1700's Europe. They learn calligraphy, dancing, arts (which I
assume includes singing), swordfighting, etc., and they DRESS UP too! They do it
for fun. Innocent fun!
If more students at BYU were aware of the existence of this group (including the Quill and the Sword right on BYU campus) and others like it, maybe they wouldn't have been so frightened of a guy wearing a style of overcoat that has been around for millenia. (Seriously, if we want to talk about eccentric fashion, how about "shrugs" - what's up with a sweater that only covers half your abdomen?)
If more students at BYU were aware of the existence of this group (including the Quill and the Sword right on BYU campus) and others like it, maybe they wouldn't have been so frightened of a guy wearing a style of overcoat that has been around for millenia. (Seriously, if we want to talk about eccentric fashion, how about "shrugs" - what's up with a sweater that only covers half your abdomen?)
Anne Cloward | 9:11 a.m. March 27, 2008
Let me tell you what life is like in the real world, i.e., the Oakdale Minnesota
stake, where Nathan and his family (and I) live. They are stalwart members of
the Hudson ward, where his dad serves as High Priests group leader. Twice a
year, we have a choir assembled for Stake Conference (our Stake President thinks
music is crucial to meetings). Nathan and has father always show up and add
greatly to the quality of the music. They are the best!
He is a happy, bright and well adjusted kid. Only in Provo would such a mess be created about his singing. He will make an awesome missionary, who can intelligently meet and teach people.
Note to self: This is why I never would send ANY of my kids to BYU, even though I graduated from there myself.
Life is too short to be worried about such things.
He is a happy, bright and well adjusted kid. Only in Provo would such a mess be created about his singing. He will make an awesome missionary, who can intelligently meet and teach people.
Note to self: This is why I never would send ANY of my kids to BYU, even though I graduated from there myself.
Life is too short to be worried about such things.
I love the last part | 10:34 a.m. March 27, 2008
I love how the kid says he doesn't want to go againsth authorities so he
won't be singing for a while but in the article the Police say that he can
sing if he wants to. So now he decides he won't sing because they said he
could? Explain that to me.
Jaye | 11:16 a.m. March 27, 2008
Anne Cloward, thank you for your comment. There have been several such comments
expressing what a wonderful young man Nathan is, made by people who know him and
his family personally.
I believe this is a common problem that exists within most institutions of education which are owned and operated by religious denominations. All too many of the students have a preconceived notion about acceptable behavior, appearance, and attire, and are often clannish, and somewhat intolerant of those who are a bit different.
From what I've heard about Nathan, I would say that he is probably above average in his level of intelligence and sensitivity, and extremely high I.Q.'s are often accompanied by a bit of eccentricity.
I see absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a cloak and singing songs in between classes. Those who find him to be weird, or creepy need to rethink what they were taught in Sunday School and Primary about how much the Lord loves each and every one of His children.
I believe this is a common problem that exists within most institutions of education which are owned and operated by religious denominations. All too many of the students have a preconceived notion about acceptable behavior, appearance, and attire, and are often clannish, and somewhat intolerant of those who are a bit different.
From what I've heard about Nathan, I would say that he is probably above average in his level of intelligence and sensitivity, and extremely high I.Q.'s are often accompanied by a bit of eccentricity.
I see absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a cloak and singing songs in between classes. Those who find him to be weird, or creepy need to rethink what they were taught in Sunday School and Primary about how much the Lord loves each and every one of His children.
Jaye | 11:24 a.m. March 27, 2008
Re:I love the last part...evidently the young man was a bit intimidated by the
sudden attention of the campus police.
I mean, for the love of Pete, all he was doing was wearing a cloak instead of a coat, and hanging out singing folk songs between classes. None of which goes against the honor code at all. And a number of intolerant people sicced the campus cops on him.
He's young. He's a bit of an outsider. And he's a LONG way from home, and those who love him and accept him just the way he is. He's probably homesick.
What would YOU do under these circumstances?
I mean, for the love of Pete, all he was doing was wearing a cloak instead of a coat, and hanging out singing folk songs between classes. None of which goes against the honor code at all. And a number of intolerant people sicced the campus cops on him.
He's young. He's a bit of an outsider. And he's a LONG way from home, and those who love him and accept him just the way he is. He's probably homesick.
What would YOU do under these circumstances?
To Jaye | 11:53 a.m. March 27, 2008
Come on you can't be serious. When does it say that there was sudden
attention of the campus police. All they did was investigated a complaint and in
no where is this article does it EVER say they stopped him from singing. If it
was me then I would go ahead and sing since they told me that I could!!!!! I did
not say anything was wrong with the kid. He probably is a fine young man but
come on. This should have never been published and the facebook thing and the tv
shirts and and the rest of the students with their stupid supports groups need
to get a life. That was uncalled for. No one ever stopped him so why did they
throw a fit
Right on..... | 12:04 p.m. March 27, 2008
The world should be full of people like Nathan who are willing to march to the
beat of their own drummer. How dreary it would be if there were no music or
individual expression. Conformity surrounds us in our everyday lives. Whatever
the talent, there is nothing wrong with finding joy in ones own artistic
creation and bringing a little happiness to others.
Wear your cape and sing, Nathan!
Peace, brother.
Wear your cape and sing, Nathan!
Peace, brother.
Aunt Nancy | 12:17 p.m. March 27, 2008
I have known Jonathan (Nathan's dad) since he was an infant and I have
known Laurel (Nathan's mom)since my brother married her. I went back to
school and graduated from BYU when I was 53 -- I called Laurel long-distance for
help on my math homework (she is a gifted math professor). I can talk to either
of them about anything and be assured of an intelligent and interesting
conversation. Nathan's parents happen to enjoy wondering, being curous
about the world, thinking, reading, writing, music, creativity, cooking, and
ideas - and this is how they raise their children. Nathan was not raised to
gossip or think of shopping as a hobby. Nathan is a worthy son of a healthy
home environment.
If you are reading these comments, Nathan, I hope you read this one. Put this stuff in perspective. The comments people make say more about the kind of person they are than about who you are. And by the way - your mom did a GREAT job on the cloak - I understand it is double-lined and is great for winter. I love you and am glad you are in my family.
If you are reading these comments, Nathan, I hope you read this one. Put this stuff in perspective. The comments people make say more about the kind of person they are than about who you are. And by the way - your mom did a GREAT job on the cloak - I understand it is double-lined and is great for winter. I love you and am glad you are in my family.
leave this kid alone!!!!!!!!!!!! | 12:54 p.m. March 27, 2008
leave this poor boy to be let him do what he wants you dume police are all over
him he can dress how he wants and act how he wants you can to so just stop
making fun of him got it some of you are more of a dork than he is
Jaye | 1:17 p.m. March 27, 2008
Re:Aunt Nancy...please extend my family's warmest regards to your Nephew,
and to his family. He has done nothing to be ashamed of, or to merit the
personal attacks from certain participants remarks on this forum.
Reading about Nathan reminds me much of my oldest son. He was also considered by many of his peers in school to be strange, weird, creepy, and not quite right in the head because he didn't really fit in.
He didn't care for many of the things high school kids thought were crucial for normality, (such as the rap and hip-hop scene and sexual promiscuity) and because of his 4.0 GPA and apparent obsession with all things computer...but nothing could be further from the truth.
Once he left the public school system, and entered into the local Technical College, and began mingling with other like-minded young men and women who were above average in intelligence, he made some very good friends.
I hope Nathan resumes his enjoyment of singing.
Reading about Nathan reminds me much of my oldest son. He was also considered by many of his peers in school to be strange, weird, creepy, and not quite right in the head because he didn't really fit in.
He didn't care for many of the things high school kids thought were crucial for normality, (such as the rap and hip-hop scene and sexual promiscuity) and because of his 4.0 GPA and apparent obsession with all things computer...but nothing could be further from the truth.
Once he left the public school system, and entered into the local Technical College, and began mingling with other like-minded young men and women who were above average in intelligence, he made some very good friends.
I hope Nathan resumes his enjoyment of singing.
Jaye | 1:13 p.m. March 27, 2008
In addition to Aunt Nancy...you're right. His mom did a great job on the
cloak. She ought to consider marketing them. I know of quite a few new-age and
mystical shops that would probably be interested in carrying them on stock.
Holy cow people | 2:25 p.m. March 27, 2008
No one in the article said he did anything wrong!!!!!! Sadly no matter he does
he will always be wrong or weird or a freak in someone's mind. Every one
here needs to learn how to read. The police officer said that they responded to
a complaint about his mental health and followed up on it and found nothing
wrong and told him to continue singing. I hope he keeps singing if it makes him
happy. He isn't hurting anyone although some considere him to be
"weird" Who really cares. People are going wild over nothing. The
police weren't all over him for what he was doing. get over it and Nathan
good luck to you in your life and don't worry about other people. You will
always be wrong in someone's mind but that doesn't mean you are wrong.
Frank | 2:27 p.m. March 27, 2008
I was a dork in school to and have done things I wouldnt quickly admit to now. I
think Nathan is great, I had many a friend like him. But I think a lot of
people here are using cloak boy as an excuse to vent their own personal feelings
against the Police, BYU, Provo, and Utah.
I'm pretty sure if you placed Nathan in any college campus anywhere in the US (excluding art colleges), the majority of the time you'd get the same result. I doubt it was a fashion laws or diferences over his personality that caused the investigation, its the accepted trend of college massacres going on and that the cloak (like the trenchcoat) is an item great for warmth but also concealment.
I'm pretty sure if you placed Nathan in any college campus anywhere in the US (excluding art colleges), the majority of the time you'd get the same result. I doubt it was a fashion laws or diferences over his personality that caused the investigation, its the accepted trend of college massacres going on and that the cloak (like the trenchcoat) is an item great for warmth but also concealment.
Reality Check | 4:27 p.m. March 27, 2008
I would say his cloak is a tragedy. After much though I have concluded the only
reason he is wearing the cloak is for attention. 18 years old it's time to
grow up a little. As for the singing I say sing all you want. BYU is the
steeze, no one should dis on the way they run things.
Cee | 5:25 p.m. March 29, 2008
My husband and I have been close friends of Nathan's parents since we all
went to BYU. I'd expect any one of the thousands of uptight pinheads on
campus to "snap" and go on rampage (I'm surprised it hasn't
happened yet!) before this level-headed young man would even get overexcited.
I'm actually more worried about the mental stability of the students who
"told" on Nathan. An inability to cope with anything that doesn't
fit your preconceived notions of what's "appropriate" is not a
marker of good mental health!!! "Eccentricity," on the other hand, is
not *remotely* the same thing as mental illness, and this boy has a *lot* more
sanity and mental stability than your average BYU student. I really hope Nathan
reconsiders going back to BYU after his mission. I certainly won't be
letting my kids (friends of Nathan's) go there--although I felt that way
long before this incident ever came up. It took me YEARS to recover from what
the "BE PERFECT RIGHT THIS MINUTE!" atmosphere of BYU did to me.
It's obvious, from the judgmental comments here, that many of you who
stayed in the "heart of Zion" never did get over it.
NY | 7:11 a.m. March 30, 2008
Cee, You seem like you are about to snap. All that bitterness is very sad
indeed. Remember, Cloak Boy was only told to be sure he didn't distrupt any
classes. Nobody told him he could not sing. As one poster stated, this was no
more than being told to Shh in the library. You are really making a mountain out
of nothing here. Plus, look at all the students who support him. I would think
that you would be happy about that. Also, don't you know that BYU students
come from all over the country and all over the world? This is not an issue of
those who stayed in the "heart of Zion" versus those who didn't.
We know nothing of where these students come from and you know nothing of where
the people live who are making these comments here in the DN (though you might
guess that I am in New York). You are being a pretty harsh judge yourself.
BornTooEarly | 10:36 p.m. March 31, 2008
It's this sort of thinking that contributed to the spawning of the hippy
movement in the '60's. Do not do anything out of the ordinary, or you
will be labeled as bizaare or freakish or criminal or mental. Everyone is
becoming so British again. Conform, or else. None dares to get out of line at
BYU. There are plenty of behavior cops everywhere, ready to turn you in. One
great irony is that if Joseph Smith were 18 years of age today, he would never
be admitted to BYU.
CB | 9:58 a.m. April 1, 2008
Cloak Boy, you ROCK!!! Totally awesome...I hope you become famous [and your
whole education is paid for]
Nathan's great! | 4:47 p.m. April 4, 2008
From someone who actually knows Nathan. When this all started I found the whole
thing about him being �turned in� and
threatened with a citation for singing or �disturbing the
peace� nonsensical. It has been quite humorous to see how
this story has taken on a new life of its own. Nathan is a great person, kind,
very intelligent, fun to be around and someone who is perpetuating an ancient
tradition of folk singing. By the way, when did expressing yourself with what
you wear become such a problem. Some people wear brand name clothing, some wear
sport team�s logos, others wear cloaks. Sure you could hide
a gun in a cloak, but you could also hide one in a backpack.
It�s like when they take your 1" pocket knife, but let
you keep your 10 pound paperweight. Keep singing and smiling.
I know Nathan Langford | 7:41 a.m. May 28, 2008
I've known that Nathan was a humble, kind and creative guy ever since high
school. He just likes to sing, and he should be able to do that. He's just
a cool dude. All this hype is really hilarious though, I must say.
Ariel Cinii | 9:00 a.m. June 14, 2008
You know, if this young man had used the words "American Idol" in his
performances he'd have probably been given mindless support and maybe a
sponsorship. But because he chose to wear a cloak and be who he really is, he
got hassled. Apparently in this "open society" one can only be open in
a generally approved direction, whch is wrong. I happen to be part of a
community of people called filk singers (not a typo) where we stage conventions
in comy hotels and sing about MUCH stanger stuff, from fantasy and
science-fiction to cats and computers. Check us out on the net and come expand
your soul.
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BYU student Nathan Langford talks about his former habit of singing outside the Joseph Smith Building on campus.
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