I am a conservative. Unfortunately, when I say that, the first thing people tend to assume is that I am:

1. A racist.

2. Against gay marriage.

3. A Fox News aficionado.

4. Somehow, against feminism (even though I’m a woman).

5. Just plain stupid.

In a country where I am guaranteed the freedom of speech, I have always fallen silent. Some people think I’m just a naturally quiet person, which is true, but a lot of my silence is due to the fact that I don’t feel comfortable expressing my opinions out of fear that I will be ridiculed or hated for my political beliefs.

My first experience with outright hate for conservatives was in 10th grade when my AP Biology teacher expressed to us every single day how all Republicans were “stupid bigots” and “ignorant idiots." I never raised my hand to disagree with him, though, because as I looked around the room, I saw my fellow classmates worshipping every word that came out of his mouth. No one ever questioned why we learned more about politics than biology because he was loved for the hate that he spread.

What people don’t understand or choose to ignore is the fact that, just like liberalism, there are many sides to conservatism. When I say that I support gay marriage and am pro-choice, people will argue with me and say that I’m not a Republican. Just because I take a liberal stance on social issues does not make me less of a conservative. In fact, contrary to popular belief, most Republicans today take a more liberal stance on social issues than they did in the past.

Partisan politics, however, are giving the party a bad name because the most publicized Republicans are the ones that take the most radical stances. These people do not represent the majority of conservatives, however.

Nonetheless, at least in the northeast United States where I live and go to school, Republicans are looked at and portrayed as "bad people." Especially since starting school at Penn, I have been cautious even to put the conservative label on myself. A lot of times I will say that I am a moderate with a conservative leaning, but even that still leaves me with dirty looks and immediate rejection.

I am friends with many liberal Democrats, and I do not question what they believe in because I know that they have their reasons, just like I have mine. The difference is that they do not have to fear what other people will think of them for their beliefs, whereas other conservatives and I are silenced for our opposing opinions.

Anyone who has taken an introductory politics course knows that our Congress is broken because they are unable to compromise. I believe part of the reason for that is the fact that this generation of Americans is unwilling to listen to one another. We judge preemptively, and then our brains shut off until it’s our turn to say how we feel.

So here’s what I think. Let’s stop hating each other for the things that we can’t, won’t, and shouldn’t change about ourselves, and let’s start listening to each other. Whether you’re a Democrat, a Republican, a Libertarian, a Socialist, a Communist, a Nihilist, or an Anarchist, go and listen to someone who thinks differently than you. Don’t judge them. Look at where they are coming from. We will be a better society in every way if we do so.