2008 Woodie Awards
Meet the new Opinion Editor
Kris Miranda
Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: Opinion
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Much has been made this semester of sensitivity to difference, although little of the concern has been over difference of opinion, with the exception of a regrettable Civil Discourse episode regarding hypothetical ultrafeminists.
Many hope that Colby has now been galvanized to take bigger, faster strides toward becoming what some might disparagingly call a "liberal utopia" (or something). Whatever our more generous readers might think that means, you probably have the gist of it. A place where no one feels singled out, marginalized or maybe even threatened because of an obvious ethnic or cultural difference, for one. Sure, we can go for that. Colby's always held that goal in theory, and concerns about microaggressions aside, most students (at least the ones we want to keep) support it wholeheartedly. Also in theory, a "liberal utopia" should be a place serious about the free exchange of ideas. Even the unpopular ones. Especially the unpopular ones.
I daresay we could use some work there.
Let me add that I'm not condoning the things that have wounded so many in the past few months, and the use of that particular anti-feminist slur has always struck me as stupid, which is almost as bad as cruel in my book. But that episode, and increased general worry about trying not to offend anyone, and of course a certain religiously zealous vice presidential candidate, seem to have called into question the value of letting people have and express opinions that may be, to put it delicately, out of the mainstream.
You've probably heard the half-joking question, "What the hell can SPB do now?" It actually seems to be a legitimate concern. And now that the storm has passed, the resultant atmosphere seems to be one in which it is simply Not Cool to challenge the utter righteousness of those fighting hardest for sensitivity and attentiveness to multiculturalism. To question whether it's really the most efficient use of time and energy and resources to make ramped-up diversity training a way bigger priority for faculty and student leaders alike, to remain skeptical about the concept of microaggressions, to wonder wistfully if the time of the crude joke has come to an end: these seem to have almost acquired the status of sins, and if that is so, then I think it's a problem.
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