Dissenting views at Tufts are often not taken well. From picking between Carmichael and Dewick to debating if you should nap or work after Spring Fling to discussing political positions, conversations that strike strong feelings are everywhere. However, without open, constructive, civil discourse, it is extremely difficult to discuss — or even point out — the elephant in the room when everyone in the room seems like they will instantly dismiss it if it was voiced out loud.
We, as Tufts students, hold a joint responsibility to foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable — or at least encouraged — to share and express their views. Outside of Tufts, we will not always have the comfort of engaging solely with those who will agree with us. Sooner or later, we will have to coexist with people who challenge our perspectives. And after all, Tufts prides itself on its commitment to civic engagement and political pluralism, with the terms “diversity” and “inclusion” thrown around all too often and plugged into the statement of virtually every on-campus organization. Therefore, we have a shared obligation to reflect on our own beliefs and recognize that the views we passionately defend may be the very ones that others strongly oppose. It is time to learn how to handle uncomfortable perspectives instead of immediately questioning their legitimacy or developing a personal distaste for the individual holding that view.
To be clear, we’re not saying that a genuine conversation about something like nuclear power’s spot on the grid should be platformed at the same level as the hateful rhetoric coming from our current federal administration.
Let’s enter every conversation assuming intelligence. It may be second nature to assign preconceived notions to a person as they’re explaining their point of view. We might latch onto provocative keywords and associate them with an entire ideology or stance. If it’s something we disagree with, it can be tempting to jump to conclusions about the other person’s lack of information, aptitude or even morality. However, it would be much more fruitful to strip away our egos and acknowledge the value of someone else’s perspectives and lived experience. Who knows what kind of nuance they might add? Who are we to assume that our own takes are superior?
Let’s prioritize learning instead of winning. It shouldn’t be the goal to change someone’s mind in a single sitting. Simply hear them out and unabashedly ask those nagging questions, no matter how simple or risky. This might make you more empathetic and well-versed in the topic — it may even strengthen your existing convictions. An intent to learn allows everybody to truly internalize what others are saying instead of tuning them out to mull over what type of punchy response will really serve as a personal mic drop.
Let’s get involved beyond informal settings. Care about an issue? If there’s a group on campus that’s open to having dialogue about it, join! If not, then create one! College is an excellent opportunity to meet people in safe environments where dialogue is celebrated and accessible — a rare and precious benefit outside of the ‘college world.’ If you want to share your thoughts with the broader community, write a letter to the editor or an op-ed to the Daily (or the many other publications at Tufts), speak at a demonstration or collect data as part of a research project. There are so many ways to transcend our immediate network and emerge from any echo chambers we might find ourselves in.
Addressing the elephant in the room shouldn’t have to come at the expense of our reputation or relationships. Inclusivity starts when we aren’t afraid to face the taboo, listen compassionately and express ourselves respectfully.
