One of the essential skills a college education gives you is the chance to learn is how to take part in a truly free discussion in which a variety of points of view may be expressed. Sometimes those opinions differ dramatically; often they are passionately held, and working our way through those discussions can be an intense, uncomfortable experience. With all of the political ads and promotions, protests and campaign speeches, billboards, bumper stickers, and “like this” solicitations, it’s tempting to plug our ears!
But that’s the nature of free speech in a democratic society. We all have the opportunity to speak...and we also have the opportunity to listen.
We are approaching a presidential election. Your voice matters to our democracy, so listen, courteously, to the voices of your peers, your neighbors, your community. Your voice matters to our democracy, so learn, evaluate, and vote.
