(U-WIRE) – I grew up differently than others around me. I was home-schooled until college, lived on a farm and have brothers that, if I hang around them often enough, people will consider my children. Weird was just a part of life in my home. By choice, I wear hand-me-downs and shop Goodwill. I have never cut my hair. I have CDs of both the Beatles and Toby Mac in my car, and my first vehicle was a stick shift. All of these characteristics combined to make me one of the weirdest, or at least the most unconventional, person I know of.
More unconventional than my taste in clothing, music or cars is my belief system. My belief system does not depend on the values or lifestyles of those around me. My beliefs are stable regardless of the changing opinions of those in power. I was raised a right-wing conservative. This makes me an instant target for discussions about the current war in Iraq, President Bush and other hot button topics of politics.
Just the words “right wing” are enough to put an unhappy look onto the faces of some people. The university, the place for diversity and open-mindedness, has been caught up into this stereotyping of right-wingers. In some classrooms, you are discouraged from expressing these beliefs. The conservative turns out to be the person in the back of the class quietly taking notes and writing the word “wrong” over and over in the margins of their notebook. Either that or she is the one who speaks up for her beliefs and immediately undergoes attack by her classmates. Either option is enough to put some conservatives into hiding.
Why squelch diversity? If differing opinions and choosing one opinion from many are valued, why do university classrooms continually oppress conservative beliefs? The conservative option is not just for nutty people who live in a bubble, or their “own little world.” Conservatives are real people who understand politics and are unconventional.
So, how do we reintroduce diversity into the university classroom? The first thing to do is to stand up for your conservative beliefs. If speaking up in the classroom and defending your beliefs against a class full of liberals does not sound appealing, try the mind game. Yes, out-thinking your opponent can work in a university classroom. If you know what is being said is wrong, defend your point of view in your own head or with a likeminded classmate. Bickering in your brain may not make as many waves as speaking your beliefs openly, but it can strengthen your beliefs and make your debate stronger if you have an opening to speak.
Another option for the conservative is to do lots of research. If something does not sound right – it doesn’t matter if it is coming from an undergrad, a grad student or a tenured professor – research it. Find out the truth.
Finally, conservatives need to vocalize their beliefs. Whenever and wherever you have a chance, make your voice heard. If you are blessed with the ability to vocalize your beliefs so that everyone understands what you are saying, then, speak. If you can write a rebuttal or a letter that explains your opinions, write.
However you choose to stand for your beliefs, do it. Don’t let the professor or classmates discourage you from voicing your own beliefs.