Conservative College Students Being Oppressed | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

To Conservative College Students Who Feel 'Oppressed'

There is a difference between feeling out-of-place and being systematically discriminated against.

875
To Conservative College Students Who Feel 'Oppressed'

If you are a conservative student at a largely liberal school, I'm sorry that it has been an uncomfortable experience for you. I'm sorry if it's been difficult for you to connect with new people or make friends. I'm sorry if there aren't campus clubs or organizations that make you feel represented. I'm sorry if you have encountered people who attempted to silence your right to have your opinions heard.

My empathy ends there.

I don't keep up with the news as much as some people, but I gotta say, I don't ever remember hearing a story about someone getting assaulted, beaten, or murdered because they are a Republican. It's honestly baffling that someone's idea of what oppressed looks like can become so warped that simply facing criticism makes them feel unsafe to just go about their daily lives. It shows how out of touch some college students are with even understanding what it's like to be in an actual marginalized group. It is the literal definition of privilege.

Black Americans are targeted by law enforcement and murdered for doing nothing wrong. LGBTQ individuals face an enormous risk of being rejected by family and friends, being forced into traumatic forms of "therapy," as well as being assaulted or murdered. Transgender women are 4.3 times more likely to be violently murdered than cisgender women, and 87% of transgender people murdered from 2013 to 2015 were people of color.

Physical violence is only the tippy top of the iceberg that is oppression and discrimination in this country.

LGBTQ students, students of color, and students with disabilities are faced with taunts, slurs, and threats on a daily basis.

Sure, people of any racial background, sexuality, or gender identity can be a Republican. That said, most aren't. In 2016, 86% of Republicans and/or conservatives voters were white, versus 57% of Democrats and/or liberals. Along with that, I have yet to see any Republicans who are a person of color and/or LGBTQ writing an article about how difficult it is to be conservative on a majority-liberal campus.

It's easy to say that people bring up issues of race, sexuality, and gender identity just to engage in "identity politics." If that's all you hear when genuinely oppressed people are trying to tell you their stories, you aren't thinking very far out of your own mindset or your own comfort zone. Step back and imagine what it's like to really, actually fear for your life because of a demographic you never chose to be a part of (hint: political parties don't count)!

No one is stifling your free speech by saying they disagree with you, or even that they find your beliefs to be dangerous and/or offensive. All that freedom of speech means is that you have the right to say whatever you want—and it also means that everyone else has the right to tell you why they disagree. Even flat out telling someone that they're a complete idiot is protected by free speech, though it's not very nice.

If you feel unwelcome on your campus, maybe start opening up to the idea that having your ideas criticized is an opportunity to evaluate why you believe what you believe, and what about your beliefs may be inaccurate. This applies to basically everything in life, not just politics.

Being uncomfortable is a sign that your worldview is being called into question. And that is necessary for growth and understanding.

Maybe attending a liberal college will help you strengthen the conservative beliefs you have. Maybe it won't. So stay open-minded! Read articles from news sources you absolutely hate and distrust, just to see what it has to say. Have discussions with people with whom you think you have nothing in common. Put your beliefs to the test.

You and I are both lucky enough to live in a country where people with differing opinions about the government can, and do, coexist. It'd be a shame to let the opportunity of free speech to go to waste, don't you think?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

2006
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl roommates
StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

20 Thoughts While Studying For Finals

I may or may not be stressing right now.

2447
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

7206
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments