I have begun to question the thought processes and behavior of my generation, namely their blind adherence to political correctness. It has become evident to me that the majority of students on campus do not understand the harsh reality that exists outside their “inclusive” lecture halls and “safe-spaces.”

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is no more, and turning the other cheek is no longer encouraged by educators. It is apparent to me that students have been sheltered and coddled by overbearing parents who have failed to teach their children responsibility, respect, independence, and self-reliance. The youth do not know how to live their lives without the help of a paternalistic figure to shelter them from opposing viewpoints.

At my university, I have become quite fond of highlighting the indiscreet hypocrisy, double-standards, and intolerance present in the student publications. Many of the student writers discuss the “inclusiveness” of campus events and organizations without realizing that these events and organizations are not truly inclusive and do not promote the university’s goal of creating independent thinkers.

How can this goal be achieved? The answer is incredibly simple. Independent thinkers are born through exposure to controversial ideas, un-censored debates, and an openness to disagreement. The university should foster such debates between conflicting viewpoints without interference from Orwellian thought-police (Campus Climate Watch) (Bias-Related Incident Reporters). The type of diversity students have come to understand is merely superficial. Sure, skin color, sexual orientation, or national origin can be diverse and that diversity is important. But I believe that diversity of thoughts and ideas is equally important. Every person on earth, regardless of race, sex, or national origin views the world through his or her own personal experiences, has unique thoughts and individual opinions.

With the establishment of “safe-spaces” on college campuses, students have become fearful of expressing their own opinions because they might offend someone. The majority of books and subject matter taught on campus are designed to be “inclusive” and politically correct, and some of the works of the greatest thinkers and philosophers are deemed misogynist, Eurocentric, racist, classist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, politically incorrect, aggressive, insulting, biased, bigoted, oppressive, and most of all, offensive.

Instead of sheltering students from literary works that might be controversial, universities should be exposing students to a wide array of thoughts and ideas (even controversial ones) so as to foster independent, critical thinking. I fear for the future and I hope that my fellow students and university administration will come to realize the self-destructive nature of this paternalism.