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During the spring semester, the McCourtney Institute for Democracy held an event at the Penn State College Republicans meeting. I am an active member of College Republicans so I attended this event. The event was a discussion about where the Republican Party should go and how it should get there. Early into the meeting, we were asked to raise our hand if we were happy with the current Republican Party. Not one hand was raised.
As a club, we began talking about why we were upset with the Republican Party. Many members agreed that main points of anger stemmed from the Republican Party having no clear leadership, no vision and that the party is too splintered. We also discussed how we felt as College Republicans. There were countless stories of how posting a political post on social media such as, “What it’s like to be a College Republican” caused the poster to receive online harassment. Overall, there was a shared feeling of being ostracized and targeted by others on campus.
I do not feel welcome on campus as a Republican. When I say something conservative, I am told that I am a traitor to my sex. I have been called a racist and a bigot. I do not feel welcome in most political discussions on campus because I know that these assumptions will be made about me. This is truly an injustice because I am none of those things – anyone that knows me would know this – and I am open to hearing opposing views.
I had to face a situation like this during a Women and Gender Studies course that I took. I happened to have class the day after the 2016 election. My classmates started talking about how “hate had won” and that all Republicans are mean spirited and selfish. The conversation continued and two of my classmates made the comment that they were not talking about me. They were talking about Republicans in general. Despite them saying this, they were talking about me. I identify as a member of the Republican Party. By attacking a group, you are attacking the individuals in the group as well. Saying hateful comments directed at all Republicans is nothing more than bullying and labeling. I know that there are many Republicans who fit the profile that my classmates and countless others talk about, but that does not justify the torment that college Republicans face.
I am a proud member of the Republican party. I volunteered with the Trump campaign and have attended a Trump rally. On the other hand, I have also interned with Democratic Senator Bob Casey Jr. and have been vocal against many of President Trump’s actions such as the comments he has made about women.
Just because a college student identifies as a Republican does not mean that they share the same views as the leaders of the Republican party. We carry our own values and beliefs just like everyone else.