It seems that lately many Northwestern students, as if discovering our presence for the first time, are writing vast numbers of articles and commentaries on campus conservatives. Though I cannot speak for all conservatives, especially since I’m not a member of any of NU’s political student groups, I thought that I would address this issue.
Firstly, I am glad that people are becoming aware of our presence, and I guess I should acknowledge the Daily for that.
For a typically apathetic campus, I am thrilled that everyone is getting involved in politics. But I am also disappointed. I am not a stranger to liberals. I went to an extremely liberal high school in California where I was the only conservative in my class of 31 students.
I am huge fan of Jonathan Swift. I think Darrell Hammond and Tiny Fey’s impersonations are great. Winning a scariest costume contest after dressing as Palin last night is somewhat funny for even me. But mocking politicians is one thing.
It is another thing entirely to intentionally ridicule your friends and classmates for no reason. I have never shied away from sharing my opinion, which usually gets met with debate, but this year for the first time I have been met with snorts of derision and contempt. I don’t wish to over generalize, but in some classrooms and workplaces people barely suppress laughter when an alternative point is discussed. People aren’t willing to listen to others. And this behavior is either lauded or accepted.
People say right to my face that conservatives aren’t educated about the facts or don’t care for others in their community. Don’t I have the same education as you? Aren’t I a part of your community? Think about NU’s motto: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Praise your candidate. Praise NU. Praise the fact that we have the potential for great philosophical and applied political discussion. Politics are awesome; I am the first to agree. But stop disrespecting the rest of us.
I love being a part of the NU community, and I have never overly involved myself in politics, beyond friendly discussions and my political science major, but something has changed this year. Obviously I do not know who will win on Tuesday, but I really hope that the conclusion of the election will end the mean-spiritedness that has taken hold of NU’s campus.
-DANIELLA MCCAHEYWeinberg senior