Powell, Randi, “Hooray for the student right," The Boston Globe, 30Aug05, p. A17.

 

OVERVIEW

 

This is an interesting and revealing article from a self-described liberal political science major at UMass, Boston. Ronald Reagan’s new American conservatism was before her personal consciousness; Bill Clinton was the first president she knew about. Nurtured in the liberalism of the 1990s, she is now actually welcoming the new outspokenness of conservative students as the beginning of important dialogue.

 

Many collegians, both liberal and conservative, have sat through lectures where professors beat the drum of liberalism….With left-wing professors monopolizing many university campuses and with tenure making them a stationary face in the classroom, the changing student body has had little variety to choose from and ultimately nowhere to go.

 

The writer goes on to note a shifting atmosphere as conservative students found information sources outside the university and started their own papers and organizations on campus. Now students are challenging the assumptions and conclusions of professors in a new way.

 

More conservative students are challenging the norms of the liberal classroom. After George W. Bush was elected to his first term, I remember one of my professors speaking about how the country had “fallen into the hands of the dark side”—and most of the students laughed in agreement. I had the same professor just two years later, and he made a similar comment, but this time along with the liberal snickers he got a few conservative boos.

 

It may sound odd coming from a liberal, but I welcome conservative arguments. I believe they raise questions and ideas that aren’t offered by professors most of the time. It generates political balance, which is needed.

 

As polarized as the country is, it seems that having a conversation about the real policies and goals of government never happens. A college classroom is the prime environment where this conversation should take place.

 

Strangely enough, conservative views have only reinforced my political stance as a liberal. I can not longer make comments in class about my opposition to the Iraq war or my support for a woman’s right to choice without hearing disagreement from a conservative student. It has forced young liberals like myself to be better informed on both sides of the political spectrum.

 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

 

1.     In terms of the controversial issues of our times, do you see yourself as a liberal or a conservative? Or, do you think of yourself as something else? What do these terms mean in politics, social issues, and in theology these days?

 

2.     Do you like the spirit of this writer and what she has to say?  Why or why not? How would you write such an article?

 

3.     Have the sharp divisions over things like war, the environment, abortion and homosexuality, church and state, and affirmative action, tended to stop free and open discussions?

 

4.     This article comes from a college perspective. But should high school students be discussing their opinions on these topics in class and in youth groups?

 

IMPLICATIONS

 

1.     Throughout this Encyclopedia, there has been encouragement to hear all sides, to think and be stretched, to come to informed opinions. That is why this article is here. And it is good to hear, not something someone writes about college students and what they think, but from a college student.

 

2.     We agree that our country (and many other societies) is polarized in a way that hinders dialogue and limits informed opinion and critical political decisions.

 

3.     Hopefully, sectarian colleges will present all views, and liberal bias will not go unchallenged or unchecked in public universities.

 

Dean Borgman  cCYS