I was walking across campus yesterday, talking to a friend about how I felt about not identifying with a political party any longer; this was primarily due to one thing: freedom of expression. Amidst a time when we are pressured to always be wary of what we are saying out loud, I feel as though that I am constantly hindering myself from speaking my mind, whether it be about race, sex, politics, or anything potentially controversial.

A longterm obstacle for Americans is the gradual turmoil that is creating a Divided States of America, a modern day Civil War between races, genders, political views, etc. There is now a competition to see who can be the 'most inclusive', the most accepting, the most careful with word choice, or which cultures they might unintentionally appropriate. Am I considered a better citizen if I have a Free the Nipple sticker pasted on my laptop, and a worse one if I accidentally refer to a peer using the wrong race identifier?

This is not to disrespect any advocation for political correctness or self censorship, which are both necessary measures in certain situations. But the radical restriction of ideas and views by which people now live their daily lives frankly goes against the founding components of the United States of America. I have found myself always being conscious of whether or not I am using the 'right' words in the eyes of society.

Freedom of speech and expression is part of the first amendment of the Constitution, yet members of specified groups sometimes make it extremely difficult for those who disagree with them to speak their mind, creating an extremely judgmental and segregated nation.

I attend a predominantly liberal school, and consider myself a liberal minded person. During casual election campaign discussion with classmates, I notice that it is increasingly more difficult for supporters of Donald Trump to speak their views. Yes, Trump has said countless things that rightfully infuriate and target countless people, and I completely disagree with his values. However, it puzzles me as to how narrow minded some liberals on the polar opposite side of the spectrum are. Trump supporters feel that they are diminished to mutes, unable to speak their minds without being targeted by the rest of the student body.

I have heard comments from devoted Hillary or Bernie supporters displaying extreme character judgement on students who support Trump, and vice versa. It is one thing to disagree with what someone believes, but another to realize that both extremes are equally as radical and exclusive.

Essentially, inclusivity and safe spaces, designated environments in which people with homogenous views can converse freely, should be defined as the ability to share uncensored expression of individual views in a calm and collected manner. Evidently, there will always be people who will disagree with you, and trying to change their views should not be the goal. Everyone, no matter what their values are, should feel comfortable sharing what they believe; after all, it is a free country.