The following is an opinion contribution and reflects the author’s views alone.
The Senate Chamber of Whig Hall, where debates are held. Courtesy of whigclio.princeton.edu
After my first year at Princeton, I was lucky enough to be invited to attend Reunions to help Whig-Clio put on the James Madison Award Ceremony—that year being given to former Clio Chairman Ted Cruz. At that point, I was a bit mixed up myself with regards to the Princeton experience. Within that short time, it had already been an incredible ride. I remember writing home about my world-class professors, the masterpieces in our collection at the art museum, school-sponsored trips to Broadway, and a heaping handful of opportunities that a younger me could not have even dreamed of. Whether I had any right to or not, however, I also felt a certain amount of frustration. Of course, there was the typical shock with regards to challenging courses that any freshman here will be able to recount—yet that was only a small part of a bigger trial. The real frustration came from the fact that I had to reconcile my beliefs about Princeton with its reality. The gap between these two was large enough to leave me at least somewhat malcontent and one of the larger discrepancies hinged on my deeply held political beliefs.
Since I was young, I have been interested in politics. Back home I would often get into debates and discussion with my peers and was eager to dive into the political scene here, too. As a conservative and a card-carrying Republican (that is not just an expression either) I quickly joined Clio, College Republicans, and signed up for the Tory. Within a few weeks, I was debating in Whig Hall and attending event gearing up for the 2016 election. For the most part of it, I was having a ball. I relished the opportunity to be a part of the nation’s oldest debating society, I was meeting good people on both sides of the aisle, and I was unabashedly giving it my all. Yet, as the year went on, my warm glow began to fade and as the election heated up and the Trump administration began. I became a bit disillusioned in small part with my university and in large part with my peers.
I believed then, and believe now, that people of good will can differ when it comes to politics. I had always tried to extend this belief to those with whom I argued and believed that the same was extended to me. Princeton was the first place where I did not find this goodwill reciprocated. This was the first place that I realized the person I am looking at does not see me as a peer with differing views, but truly sees me as evil with hate in my heart. This shook me more than I care to admit. I stand by my beliefs because I think they are the best way to help decent people by providing liberty, property, and justice. To have someone disagree with your methods or even your objectives is one thing, but to realize that they see no goodwill in you whatsoever is a harrowing experience.
For the first time, I found that some people refused to associate with me because of my political beliefs. I got scowls and dirty looks from people I never met. Fellow students would accost me and question where my “guilt” or “shame” was. I have been excluded or nearly excluded from various groups as a result of my beliefs. I saw a stranger post a quote of mine in the Prince and only wrote the caption “Kill Yourself.” I remember one time trying to introduce myself to someone on the Street only for her to demand that I leave because I was a Trump supporter. Although I shouldn’t, I still get a twinge of resentment whenever I see this person around campus. A series of events just like this began to become a growing part of my experience here. For all the talks, trainings, and seminars that the university put on to foster a sense of inclusion, I felt isolated.
As with my other frustrations with Princeton, I was able to come to terms with this reality and reconcile it with my previous beliefs. I was able to realize how many good people I had met on both sides of the aisle, appreciate the variety of speakers that came here, be thankful for the general civility of the student body, and observe the university administration truly act in a non-partisan way that sought the best interest of all students. I have realized that there’s no other college I would rather be at across the country and that we have it so incredibly good in nearly every respect—political climate included.
As a conservative college student today, this is the best damn place of all. Princeton is a world-class institution, but in addition to that, it has a level-headed administration, great conservative programs and student groups, and a student body that is widely civil and respectful. Because of all this, I have been able to put away my initial frustrations and see past them for all the good that is around us. Yet, realizing that some people view me as pure evil for my beliefs and best intentions is something that still weighs heavy on me. I take no pleasure in this fact, and, if it is true, I find it deeply saddening. My optimism for our future as a nation has been tarnished as a result of this and, for better or worse, that is a lesson I have learned being a conservative at Princeton.
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