A Princeton precept. Courtesy of Tori Repp.
The following is an opinion contribution and reflects the author’s views alone.
College conservatives are often afraid to express their opinions to their friends or classmates, and I understand this concern: why position yourself to be criticized, laughed at, and even ridiculed when you want to get good grades and make friends? Several times I have been asked by a friend: “Do you support Trump?” I always give a smile and say, “Yes I do.” And their eyes always widen. They think, “Could it be possible that someone I’ve known and laughed with is a conservative Trump supporter? But he doesn’t seem angry… He’s not hissing at minorities and women!” Many liberals have the misconception that in order to be conservative, you have to be angry, racist, and selfish—and in college, probably weird. And as this faulty belief becomes more prevalent, conservative ideology becomes increasingly endangered.
But where does this belief come from? Likely it is perpetuated by the lack of personal exposure that college students have to differing ideologies, specifically conservative viewpoints. Instead of hearing these ideas explained by other students and fleshing out their own arguments by engaging with those who disagree, their opinion of conservatism is based on their own preconceived notions. They never encounter the good intentions that lay behind opposing arguments. For example, pro-life advocates would never describe their mission as focused on eliminating “a woman’s right to choose,” and yet this is how they are strategically branded by the left. In the ideological echo-chamber of colleges, where no one challenges this blanket accusation, this becomes the only conception of the pro-life argument in the mind of a liberal student. Failing to acknowledge the fundamental beliefs, intention, and personhood behind an ideology creates boogiemen. This, of course, is unhelpful to any kind of meaningful civic discourse.
So how should both ends of the political spectrum can do to stop the destruction of thoughtful discussion? College liberals should engage with conservative students, especially those with whom you already have an underlying friendship founded on something that transcends politics— academics, time spent together, common interests, or simply their personalities. A conversation with a pro-life student would reveal much more about his or her true motivation, level of decency, and care for human life than hearing a liberal talking point that has distorted the viewpoint in bad faith. It may strengthen your own convictions, or it may make you question them. Either way, you are in a position to better understand the opposing argument, as well as your own.
College conservatives should not be afraid to confirm their political ideology when asked about it. Question concepts antithetical to your beliefs in precept—many of these classes are designed for students to express their ideas and opinions. Show others that people all across the political spectrum, including conservatives, sit in class, laugh at jokes, and become friends with others. That way when someone talks about ‘evil’ NRA members, you can point to the arguments that you made in precept: that the actual motivation behind owning a gun is simply because it is an efficient way for individuals to defend themselves. When someone brings up the denial of a women’s “right to choose,” you can explain that conservatives emphasize an individual’s right to life. That alone could be enough to fracture the narrative.
This does not require war paint, rhetorical ammunition, or even an active engagement in the political sphere: instead, simply be confident enough to acknowledge your own beliefs around your friends and colleagues. Your transparency and clarifications will help to convey the thoughtful, good intentions of conservatism that gets lost in the soundbites and talking points. Your presence will also compel any liberal friend toward making a decision that that they’ve had the leisure to avoid: should I tolerate this person?
The less this question is asked, the more complacent and single-minded college campuses will become. The first step to increasing tolerance for conservative thought on college campuses is to give those who disagree with you something to tolerate.
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