When asked about where he ranked among other writers of the 19th century, American author Mark Twain stated the following: “My books are water; those of the great geniuses is wine. Everybody drinks water.” 

I myself, alongside the majority of people today, by no means consider any of Twain’s remarkable works of literature as simply water. Better yet, I would more so compare his stories to that of a top shelf liquor — a rare or rich bottle only to opened for a special event or celebration. 

The fact that the man who arguably laid the foundation of American literature criticizes his own work only allows me to laugh at my own. If "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is water, then my articles are merely mud, filled with meaningless opinions and viewpoints, yet liquid enough to trickle down into the paper you are currently holding. Nevertheless, it is the fact that these unique opinions — whether it be from a celebrated American author or an unknown student — are passed around and shared that makes this paper so exceptionally important.

I am too often chastised by some over their perceived  “low value” of content The Odyssey contains. While I agree it is nothing close to a cabinet of wine or an aged whiskey, the paper holds inimitable and intrinsic value. It carries the views of students with the courage to share their perspectives and lives, no matter how quirky or irrelevant the readers may find them. 

We here at The Odyssey realize that we are not The New Yorker, staffed with English theory and journalism majors from Princeton and Yale. And let’s be honest, if we were, would you read this paper? I myself haven’t seen many students, Greek or non-Greek, toting around copies of "The Satanic Verses" or "Tropic of Cancer." We know James Franco, not James Joyce. We writers use The Odyssey as a way to share more than our individual ideas. We use it to spread humor, celebrate our community, and to bring attention to the subjects that some may prefer have gone undiscussed. 

Personally, Iuse the Odyssey as a way to diversify myself and do something new, but more to simply have fun. As a Finance major, it is very rare that I come across a chance to write in my daily life, and even less likely to get the chance to share my ideas with such a large audience. Although it is arguable that I should have no space in a newspaper due to my background lacking any education between the lines of English and journalism, I believe it is this unique fact that makes The Odyssey so special. Instead of reporters and journalists, the paper holds the views of Greek students, which aligns with the mission statement of the paper: highlighting productive and unique ideas in local communities by local students, not Princeton and Yale English theory and journalism majors.

By exercising the freedom of speech, we writers are also utilizing the right to create and share. While some readers may heavily criticize our stories and viewpoints, they do not realize that it is these articles that carry our distinctive perspectives — something that every student holds. The paper serves as a vehicle of communication, sending our ideas from the keyboards we devote significant hours to each week, to the doorstep of your respective fraternity, sorority, or computer screen (shout out to the online readers). 

However, alongside the freedom of speech comes the freedom to criticize. This liberty is an action everyone should practice, yet I challenge you to exercise it only in the appropriate realm. While one might feel a sense of valor by vocally dismissing The Odyssey, they are suppressing more than the articles themselves. They are not only ripping apart the viewpoints of our writers and their fellow classmates, but also suppressing a means of creativity, something that is already so strongly pushed aside today. In an educational system that nearly dries the creative juices out of all the students whom push through it, this small spark of creativity serves as a simple ripple in the water, leading to new ideas and discussions, good or bad, about the articles the paper contains.

Of the many readers who claim my articles — or the articles of other Odyssey writers — to be a mere waste of time and paper, let me assure you that there is value to our work. We as a staff push each other, critique one another and most importantly evaluate our own thoughts and ideas as we create content each week for the paper. Although we may not all hold similar viewpoints, we realize the importance of sharing our differences and illuminating new perspectives.

And in the end, whether or not you continue to disregard or disagree with the opinions shared through this awesome paper, you continue to drink the water we pour. And isn’t that the point of writing after all?