When you go off to college, you meet a wide variety of young adults who have many different beliefs. People were raised by different parents, in a different part of the country, and adopt different ideologies based on the people they surround themselves with. With the election of a new presidential candidate just around the corner, conversations between friends are often directed towards which presidential candidate would be the best. However, it has come to my realization, while being away at school, that colleges are mostly filled with liberal students and professors.
I am an 18-year-old female, and I am a conservative. It is a rare occurrence, I know, especially because I attend school at a very liberal college in a rather liberal city as well. No, I am not a conservative just because my parents are. Yes, they have informed me of current events, policies and their opinions about them, but I was able to form my own opinions on them. Contrary to what most think, I am not a conservative because my parents are. I am a conservative because I believe in most of the ideas of one.
In some of my class discussions, I am used to frequently hiding my political beliefs due the fact that the professors and most of the students are guiding the conversation to the left side. To me, I don’t think that is fair. In this day and age, where people fight for everyone to be treated equally, why am I stuck feeling that I cannot express my opinions?
Let me get one thing straight: I am not asking to change your beliefs. Just respect mine and don;t put down every idea that you probably have not even done enough research on. There have been countless times where people have put down a conservative idea with an explanation of, “It’s just stupid.” Back up your statements with accurate facts and I will respect what you have to say.
Instead of complaining about either side, I think it is time for there to be a balance, especially at college regarding a discussion about political opinions. It would make me and a lot of other students more comfortable to talk about their views on current issues in class discussions.
