Liberal bias on campus excludes Smith Republicans from message of tolerance

Republicans are so: Racist, homophobic, anti-women's rights, anti-charity, pro-Wall Street, pro-war and, of course, they hate poor people.

If any other group at Smith were as viciously stereotyped by Smith professors and students as we are, then there would have already been a vigil, a hot seat and a fireside chat.

The Smith College Republicans genuinely appreciated Kaitlyn Willcoxon's article in the Sophian earlier this semester titled "Politics at Universities Self-Perpetuate, Studies Suggest." Willcoxon's article shed light on the persistent liberal atmosphere at most universities, including Smith. Although we agree that it is difficult to mandate political diversity, the Smith College academic leaders should do more to encourage an array of political opinion. It is their responsibility as role models to foster individual thought, regardless of their own ideals and convictions. However, currently this is far from the reality. Conservative students should not have to feel pressured to conform to liberal ideals on their own campus, a setting that otherwise encourages diversity.

Conservative students at Smith face extreme adversity from their peers if they make their opinions public. During last year's Conservative Coming Out Day, an annual event held by the Smith Republicans to encourage Smith students to come out as conservatives or moderates, several Smithies said that they would join the club, but were afraid of the social ramifications: being taunted, ridiculed and ostracized by their housemates and friends.

This is a valid concern, since several members of the club have suffered harassment. In the heat of the last presidential election, girls in one member's house posted vicious messages on her door. Additionally, it has been nearly impossible to advertise our club's events because fliers are torn down within hours. If they do remain up, they are vandalized. Earlier this year we wanted to inform our fellow Smithies about what Republicans actually believe by placing facts about the party on candy bars; we placed fliers around campus saying "free chocolate." One Smith student decided to write "and torture" underneath. The ignorance and intolerance inspiring this action speaks for itself.

The liberal bias penetrates the classrooms as well. In one club member's American government class, during the most recent presidential primaries, only the liberal candidates' platforms were discussed. The professor made little effort to include conservative candidates, such as John McCain and Mitt Romney, in the classroom dialogue.

When professors and students allow such a one-sided view of politics to be so prevalent, it inhibits them from further developing their opinions. As a self-proclaimed moderate, Anne Nadler '12 stated in a former article, "I feel excluded because I disagree and don't feel comfortable sharing. I don't enjoy talking about politics because if I do I will be shut down." Nadler's comment epitomizes the oppressiveness of the liberal attitude at Smith. Nadler doesn't even consider herself part of the liberal-conservative binary, and yet she feels pressured to stay under the radar. Smith, as an academic community, will fail its student body if it does not make a greater effort to change the status quo. Not only does the liberal bias hinder conservative and moderate students, but it also hinders liberal students. College should be a place that encourages debate and challenges students' views.

Kate Glossner '10 upholds the pervasive student assumption that all students are liberal. While we agree with Glossner that "Smith attracts liberal people," her statement that "it is not a place you would come to if you were conservative" is not only false and offensive, but also detrimental to Smith as a whole. Smith is an institution that claims to value diversity of race, class and gender, and it helps shape strong, independent women. When we applied, we felt we would be welcome in this institution regardless of our political beliefs. However, in most instances this has clearly not been the case.

People consider Smith a community that promotes enlightenment and an appreciation of range, whether it is in gender or politics. In order to stop the harassment of conservatives, and even moderates, the Smith community must encourage tolerance. Despite postings stating, "Republicans are the most intolerant group on campus," it seems actions speak for themselves. Smith encourages tolerance in every other aspect of a Smithie's life - why not politics?

If you want to be a part of diversity on campus, come to our meetings Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in CC103.