Recent articles in The Post have proved what I have found throughout my two years at Ohio University ' OU doesn't like diversity. This isn't surprising, considering it's a college in the United States and they all seem to have this problem. Educational institutions in America preach open-mindedness, freedom of speech, intellectual challenge and, most of all, diversity. But each of those has a specific meaning not in alignment with Webster.
I am a white, middle-class American, and I am a minority on this campus. I had never really thought of it that way until ThePalestra.com interviewed me on Election Day in Ohio, asking how it felt to be a minority in Athens. Yes, I'm conservative.
I'm not saying that liberal professors and students should not be allowed to voice their opinions. I for one believe in freedom of speech, even if what you want to say offends me. Liberals on campus, however, refuse to allow any conservative opinion to be voiced. When it is, it is met with harsh accusations of being close-minded. Hardly ever is a conservative opinion debated without declaring the person offensive, selfish or, you guessed it, close-minded. Why not focus on the issue rather than the author? But I guess I can't blame liberal students; the example is set by administrators and professors.
It did not take me very long to find that my education, which I am paying very handsomely for, consists of the politics of my professors. We don't debate or discuss issues because both of those involve a balance of opinions, diversity of thought if you will. But professors don't allow the other side to be voiced. I might be the only person in the room with my hand in the air but my conservative t-shirt pegs me as an avoid-at-all-costs student. Shouldn't a school encourage deep thought and debate and challenge their students to form their own opinions based on all the information? Sure, argue your side, but let me argue the other side as well ' or are you too close-minded to handle that?
I don't mind being a minority on campus. I actually like hearing other's opinions. You have a right to your opinions; I have a right to mine, no matter what you say. I'm offended by a Queer Aquarium; I'm offended by abortion; I'm offended by anti-war protests; and I'm offended by illegal immigrants who want me to pay for their healthcare and schooling. It's about time liberals get some thicker skin and start debating issues rather than feelings. This is an educational institutional where diversity is emphasized but thought is minimized. Open your minds; you aren't the only people with the ability to think and come to a conclusion. And I'll check The Post tomorrow for the article accusing me of being close-minded.Caitlin Graham is a junior journalism major.
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Letter to the Editor
