Living in Metro Atlanta, students of every race, religion, sexuality, and gender identity pass us by on a daily basis. One of the most diverse locations of all is Agnes Scott’s campus. We enter the school with words of welcome and questions of inclusion such as, “What are your pronouns?” We walk around campus with a sense of safety when our RAs explain that guests must be signed in and stay close to their host at all times. But what happens when the excitement of the first year dies down and our passionate, intelligent, Scotties unconsciously allow political minorities in the school to feel uncomfortable sharing their own wonderful differences?
Every classroom, particularly the First Year Seminar courses, explicitly explain that the classrooms at this school are a safe space, and it’s not only okay, but also encouraged for disagreements to occur. After all, the devil’s advocate teaches new ways of thinking. But there comes a point in time where a young Republican or Libertarian slips into the school and realizes that they have entered a world of predominantly passionate Liberals, and may feel that it’s not their place to be as passionate at their fellow classmates. I for one have been subject to false rumors because I briefly mentioned some of my “unusual” views. None of them were vicious, but they were incorrect. I even heard from an alumna, that she transferred out of the school because of how uncomfortable she felt when she shared her views.
As strong headed as our Scotties are, there are those who breach these discussions with a calm head and say, “I agree that we do share some common beliefs, but I just think that we all need to agree to disagree.” However, the only way that we can reach conclusions like these, is if our political minorities speak up more often. We must speak our minds in order to create more conversations and awareness. However, we also need to pick our battles. After all, many of these discussions won’t be tolerated in the workforce, especially from the minority of said work place.
Last year, the campus organization Witkaze collaborated with the organization Pinky Promise to have Brittany Jackson speak on campus. Jackson is a Christian who runs the blog, “High Heels and High Standards,” under the byname Brittany ‘Jay’. Her blog is about helping college students through her Christian views. “Life in the world looks glamorous, but it’s all a visage. The partying, drugs, sex, and relationships cannot fill that void that you have. We desperately need Christ!” she says on her blog. This collaboration angered many students and caused one student to ignite a passionate discussion on an Agnes Scott Facebook page. Many questioned how the school could allow such a homophobic person and a slut-shamer to come and speak to our students on campus. It was a valid question. In response, a student explained how Witkaze was invited by Pinky Promise to work with them previously, “[We] encouraged our members to attend to support Pinky Promise as an organization, not to support Brittany Jay…Witkaze in no way supports the views or messages of Brittany Jay but we always try to support our Scottie sisters in their endeavors and events. Witaze has no ties to any religion and we support the decision of all of our fellow Scotties to partake in or abstain from any faith they chose.” I would assume any average Scottie would agree with such an open statement, however more Scotties joined the conversation and continued to disagree with Jay’s visit to campus. They responded with hurt and sarcasm. “I apologize if I become offended at an event being promoted by a group that is supposed to make me feel safe,” one post read.
I expected such passionate disagreement to surround the speaker’s visit to campus, but what I didn’t predict was someone telling these students that there’s more to the issue than the school allowing someone the students dislike to come to campus. “The mere fact that there is a specific ideology that people claim the majority of the campus believes in is proof enough that the campus is not inclusive. Certain patterns of thought and belief are suppressed and those who have them are shamed and silenced,” said Imani Young Bey, a senior. The discussion continued on how certain views are incorrect and there’s a difference between allowing Brittany Jay to speak and allowing someone who discriminates to speak. This is a solid point on a campus that is supposed to be a “safe space.” But what about freedom of speech? The event didn’t have required attendance and peaceful protests are allowed everywhere.
I haven’t come across many political minorities on Agnes Scott’s campus, but I’ve felt the heat from both sides. Scotties stand for what we believe in and that’s all well and good, but consider the possibility of asking questions instead of forcefully “educating” someone on an opinion. Consider that it’s okay to have different views on an idea no matter how much you may disagree with said person. Everyone has a right to speak about their beliefs. Having an opinion isn’t the law, but what’s the line between freedom of speech and having a safe space on college campuses? Does preventing certain opinions from being spoken really help create a safe environment or do they hinder it?