As a child, I was frequently labeled a “social justice warrior” and often told I would “make a good lawyer” by random adults. These designations stemmed from both my loudly vocalized views and my tendency to correct any comments that I deemed offensive or not politically correct. Evidently, I have retained my label of passionate verbalization, given that I am the executive opinion editor of the Daily. Yet, over the years, I have drifted away from my strong moral convictions. Nowadays, I often find myself torn between two extremes, taking a moderate stance on issues. I even justify reasoning that ridicules the very identity groups that I am a part of. I try to understand religious justifications against gay marriage. I take a step back, wondering why people believe in a Jewish conspiracy. My tolerance for other views often leads me to question my morals. Perhaps I am too flexible.
In all likelihood, my perspective is a pushback to the environments I grew up in. I went to an all-girl middle school that made my class fill out a “rainbow unicorn” with our gender and sexual identities in sixth grade, attended a high school where teachers were called out for well-intended comments and now attend a school where I feel hesitant to share any remotely nonliberal beliefs. I am surely not apathetic or lacking opinions — I simply have become frustrated at our lack of ability to hear each other out.
Such thoughts came to a head on Monday. As I ascended the staircase past Tisch Library, I spotted one of my friends huddled among a group of astonished faces. He beckoned me over with laughter and a sense of urgency. He showed me a picture of the Tufts cannon painted red, white and blue, blasted with the message “TUFTS ❤️S TRUMP!” My friend told me that the situation was “handled” and explained that individuals were planning to paint over the cannon. At first, when my friend told me that the MAGA issue was being “handled,” I explained my frustration. Simply put, it was free speech for Tufts Republicans to share their beliefs. While they were likely trying to troll people — tagging the Daily, The Zamboni and the university, among other organizations, in their Instagram post — these students had a right to express their views. Yes, I disagree with this display of affection. America’s 47th president is rolling back basic principles of our country’s democracy; he has placed unelected billionaires into key governmental positions, consolidated power into his own hands by cutting government agencies, peddled racist rhetoric and shamed veterans. Safe to say, I hate President Donald Trump. This does not mean, however, that all supporters of Trump are bigoted and ill-intended. Most Americans who voted for Trump were doing so out of concern for their own paychecks.
As I walked back to my dorm, I found the cannon already covered in black and orange paint. The front of the cannon featured the words “ACAB” — an acronym that stands for “All Cops Are Bastards” — followed by a message below to “CUT TIES W/ DEVCOM,” a U.S. army-controlled scientific organization that both partners with Tufts’ Center for Applied Brain and Cognitive Sciences and maintains a partnership with many nations, including Israel. After taking this all in, I once again wondered about the right to free speech. While painting over the Republicans’ words, in a way, was repressing their views, the painters also had a right to express their frustration with Trump and his America, especially given the president’s recent actions and comments. When I woke to the cannon painted gray, however, I was in shock.
The cannon is a beautiful canvas for self-expression and political movements. In fact, I wrote my “Why Tufts” essay about just that. In this case, however, the painting of the cannon — first by Tufts Republicans and then by protesters — proves our inability to tolerate differing views. But while I can only hope that students did so as a result of our passions, Tufts administration painting over students’ views remains hot in my mind.
Though I am often frustrated at myself for being unable to take a sharp stance at a time when we are so divided, it is important to have these vices. Surely, every movement can use the makers and shakers of the world, and it can also use those that straddle the aisle and hope to create change through civility.
