Being in a liberal school, one could expect that the people there will be like minded: same ideas, same ideals, same living style. This is a very stupid expectation, to be absolutely honest with you. How are you going to learn from a person that is similar to you? If no one challenges your opinions, how can you be sure that they are right? And, who are you to be 100% sure that you are right? Humans learn for their entire life, humans learn from their mistakes. Coming to a college with the know-it-all attitude is the biggest barrier to develop oneself. The next-worst barrier is expecting everyone to have the same mindset as you.

Of course, what you will hear from most of the liberal students is that they are open minded and prepared to discuss issues in a polite and respectful manner. Unfortunately, when it comes to challenging the liberal ideas, even liberals tend to be on the defensive.

I consider myself a liberal. Liberal for me means open-minded, prepared to change and reform to implement better or more efficient, egalitarian alternatives. To reach these goals, one must be prepared to hold an open conversation with other people, including conservatives. Liberal means non-exclusive. Liberal means conversation. Remember critical thinking? How are you going to analyse something if you are ignoring everything else?

This applies to all topics of discussion. From U.S. politics, to the economic order of the world, but even racial issues, and sexual violence on college campuses. No matter how uncomfortable the topic is, in a truly inclusive liberal environment, it can be (and should be) discussed. And luckily colleges have created spaces for these issues to be discussed. It is just that if you have a different idea, you won´t be welcome in that space.

Yes, I do not deny that there are certain topics that are just settled. For example, the Third Reich was a state of terror, slavery is inherently wrong, and rape should not be condoned. Smart people irrespective of political standing will agree on these assertions. Where interpretations might differ is the extent to which this should be remedied, the extent of governmental oversight, or what policies should be implemented. By having a different opinion on some issues, it does not mean that they are a bad or a stupid person. Also, you are not going to know if you don’t let them talk. Shutting up people based on their political allegiance also counts as profiling.

It would actually be easier if the discussion is led with mutual respect. Only then one might change their mind. Of course, people do not change easily — that is also probably one of human’s bad natures. But, it is more likely one will “improve” own opinion after a series of discussions, rather than a series of slurs of how stupid one is. Fun fact: you can’t change their mind by shouting profanities at people (pro-tip, don’t ever argue ad hominem.)

What this causes is the ever increasing division between different groups. Liberals vs. Conservatives, Civil Rights vs. (Blind) Conservatives, Rich vs. Poor; you know, the typical us-vs-them thing. Like the extreme polarization of the U.S. political scene, this gets us nowhere. There is no discussion, just shouting and utter hatred. Disrespect and lack of compassion. Where is the empathy? You are not a truly free person if you cannot think without being influenced by your negative emotions.

Eventually, the conversations will cease and it will appear as the campus is liberal. Liberal students will celebrate and be proud of how their college is the perfect image of what the country should be, but they are forgetting one thing. By silencing their opponents they merely swept their opinions under a rug. And they should remember that no one likes to be silenced.