The Oppression of Conservative Thought on Campus

Emotions were strong at the SexPowerGod debate on November 6th. There were heated shouts from the back row, sarcastic comments from every aisle, and an overwhelming feeling that the two opponents of the dance had not the slightest chance of changing the minds of anybody in the audience; they knew that the audience would not let them win. Every point and counterpoint made was received by the representatives of the dance with an almost audible huff and with eyes rolling to the back of their heads; the audience members sitting in the front row snickered and elbowed their friends sitting next to them. Several of my own friends admitted to going only to hear the “ridiculous” things that the opponents might say. It was not the purpose of the debate, however, to change minds. Rather, the purpose of the debate was just just get the audience to think; to get them to realize that there is another side to every argument, another counter to every point. I left disgusted by the double standards of open-mindedness, not even thinking about the content of the discussion. I never realized that it could be so conditional.

It would be difficult to find any doubt that this is a topic that has been lamented countless times before, by, as Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick (D) described in his lecture at Brown, Republicans who are “afraid of criticism.” There was the criticism a few weeks ago when a young woman stopped on the sidewalk at the College Republican’s pro-war protest, with only the purpose of exclaiming, “I am embarrassed that you are Brown students” (in that case, I am embarrassed that you are, too!). There was the criticism I received the other day on my way to Faunce House, as a fellow student shouted, “You fascist!”, in response to my article on the Third World Transition Program. Then there was the criticism the other night at dinner when I found out that, apparently, it was perfectly fine to denounce God, but to defend Him was absurd and ludicrous. Why does it seem that almost every discussion about politics or morals in which I engage ends with the other person pulling his hair and clenching his eyes, fists, and teeth, crying out, “How can you even BELIEVE that?”

Whoa, wait! Did you catch my side of the story? Probably not!

I sit here, scratching my head to the question of what has happened to the foundation upon which liberalism was built. I can in no way claim to be an expert in the area, but countless self-described liberals have made it clear to me that they like to keep an open mind. They like to welcome change, diversity, new ideas. Perhaps the conservative appeal for the old and the established can be seen as anything but new, but it is nonetheless a fresh perspective from almost anything that can be found here on campus. Perhaps it can also be argued that we, ourselves, are “closed minded” and object to new ideas, but I say,” “Try me.” I can explain to you why we were out there protesting, why I wrote that article, why I believe in the preservation of life, or why I disagree with the legalization of marijuana.

Do not wave the accusatory finger; do not assume that we all support George W. Bush; do not jump to the conclusion that I am racist or that I oppose progress. I am a conservative, but not an asshole. (There IS a difference.)

If liberalism is about being open to anything, not discriminating based on any longstanding stereotypes, then why is there a discrimination against opinion? Perhaps there is fear of what conservatives have to say; perhaps there is just ignorance; perhaps we are not the ones who deserve to be labeled “closed-minded.” I would like to think that all of this is false, but perhaps I am also being naive in assuming that, contrarily, all conservatives care to hear about liberalism. I find it difficult to criticize when much of what I said could in turn be said of us. You can disagree with me all you want; in fact, I hope that you will. All that I can ask is that you acknowledge that there really is another side, a side legitimate enough that it is worth spending time to discuss - worth exploring and worth debating. Talk to us, not at us; listen to us and learn from us. We are all Brown students; we have all gone through the same admissions process and suffered through the same finals. Everyone here deserves the right to refuse to be silenced.