A Glimpse Into The New England College Political Scene | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

A Glimpse Into The New England College Political Scene

In Response to Boston Magazine's Article "How Liberal Professors Are Ruining College"

52
A Glimpse Into The New England College Political Scene
​Photo by Zelle Duda on Unsplash

Right before I left for college in New England, I read a thought-provoking article in Boston Magazine called "How Liberal Professors Are Ruining College." Coming from a progressive and liberal city with a public school lines with liberal teachers and staff, I expected my New England college experience to be much of the same. Based off of the article I read, liberal professors outnumber conservative ones 28 to 1, which only confirmed my preconceptions. The foremost problem with these numbers is that these liberal views are widely discussed and pressed upon students who might not share the same views and therefore become more alienated. In New England, appearing even a step to the right can lead to ridicule by professors and peers alike. It's a tricky road to navigate in 2017, and after being abroad and so far removed from the intense American political scene, I have found the New England college political scene to be quite accurately described by Boston Magazine with a few exceptions.

The first thing we did upon settling into campus was sign up for clubs. Half of my friends proudly declared they had signed up for Marist Democrats yet the club that no one spoke up about signing up for was Marist Republicans. At a time where the right to freedom of speech is more crucial than ever, I find it quite ironic that my school had a "safe space" talk where the first thing that was said when the discussion began was, "Now I know no one in here voted for Trump and if you did, I will treat you differently." How exactly does that statement facilitate a discussion to understand each other's viewpoints and come to decisions together? It doesn't at all, and this is the exact problem highlighted in Boston Magazine's article.

In a recent class of mine, my professor showed a video of an economist on CNN promoting a rather conservative economic viewpoint and invited us to offer our opinions on the matter. At first, the class was silent. Everyone was quietly considering their opinion and how the class might judge them. The first to speak was a student who supported the economist and they therefore brought upon an onslaught of questions from the outright liberal professor who eventually went on to critique one student who was an open Trump supporter in their class last year. It is precisely this kind of negative connotation that makes even somewhat conservative thinkers hesitant to express their views in an environment where they know they will be critiqued endlessly for it rather than opening up an intellectual discussion on key matters.

Brandeis University's President Ronald Leibowitz commented on the reluctance of conservative students to express their views in the classroom by saying, "I would think that Brandeis students, Middlebury students—smart students—would have the mettle, the ability to question this or push back a little." I find his statement hilarious after the fact that the same article reports a Brandeis student recalling how a professor exclaimed they hated all Republicans. How does that sponsor an environment where a student feels at ease to openly discuss their ideas, especially when the professor is the one handing out final grades?

Based off of my first few weeks on campus, I have witnessed the oppressive and vocal liberal viewpoints in class, but also I have seen a few conservative students stick their necks out as well. Although it is not something easy to do in an extremely sensitive environment, it has been refreshing to hear different opinions and the intelligent yet fair argument that ensues. I hope that I will encounter more students and professors that allow the flow of opinionated yet intelligent discussion rather than override them, because that is what America truly needs right now.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

3793
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

450163
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22046
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

44991
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments