Got Unity?
Joshua Hursa| October 14, 2008 1:42 amThe Rider community is a strong one. We are one big family that comes together in times of tragedy and rejoices together when one of our own goes and achieves something great. Unfortunately, there are times when the school community, much like a family, is divided. During any election year, the campus is bound to be separated on ideological differences; a microcosm of the rest of the nation. What separates Rider from other places around this country is the forum in which this “unity” is perceived.
Rider has sought out speakers to come to campus, some liberal and some conservative. This is to be applauded. Sadly, this year there has not been a strong presence of dissenting opinion sponsored by the administration. On Constitution Day, an event celebrating the implementation of the Constitution of this nation, Rider invited Former Democrat Congressman Harold Ford of Tennessee. While he gave a great speech addressing the political climate of this country, he did not in any great detail discuss the reason why he was invited: the constitution. A mere oversight, perhaps, but considering the fact that he was a paid speaker on a topic he should have stuck to it. This week we are hosting Donna Brazile, a noted Democrat political commentator, as our Unity day speaker. Unity day focuses our attention on bringing people together and not dividing them apart. How unifying is inviting only liberal points of view to Riders campus in arguably the most important election in our lifetimes? Where is the forum for conservative thought about the election? I do not dispute Ms. Brazile’s expertise as a political commentator; however, I strongly disagree with my Student Activities fee being spent to bring only one side of the political scene to campus. The administration has the duty to represent all student interests and in my eyes has failed to do that. It is no wonder Rider is ranked as one of the 20 least politically active campuses in the nation when the school provides a forum for only liberal minds. College is supposed to be a vigorous debate with all students, asking them to think critically and examine all sides of an issue in order to form their own opinions on a topic. This has not been encouraged on Riders campus.
I hope that the Unity day and Constitution day speakers’ political affiliation was merely an oversight. Unfortunately, considering the left leanings of many in this administration, how can we reasonably expect a fair and unbiased learning environment? It makes our job, as concerned conservatives, difficult when we fight against the liberal imperialism on campus. It is our responsibility, as College Republicans, to seek out the truth and bring balance to this campus. We will be protesting Donna Brazile at 6 pm in front of the BLC. Join us so we can tell the administration that we are not all democrats. We have a right to be heard on this campus!
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