Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

AIDS awareness starts on campus

by heather templeton

hntempleton@vwc.edu

Do most students see themselves as open-minded? Are they? Or is this a nice ideal that we tell ourselves after we get out of some heated argument? We ve all had that experience, when we meet someone and suddenly realize that there is no way we are going to agree.

Then things can get ugly. This awkward, emotional setting is something we try to avoid, but in a place like college, where controversial ideas are brought out of the dusty corners of our mind and shoved into the sunlight to be seen by our peers, we want to defend ourselves and our pillars of belief.

And that s exactly what happens. The longer we ve had a belief, the stronger we are in our defense of it. And as the amount of controversy rises, so do our tempers.

But every time I see two people arguing, I see both talking at the same time and neither one listening. Or, if one is silent, they are most likely just coming up with their next response instead of listening completely to what the speaker is trying to say. It becomes a quick and easy process to categorize the opponent  all the better to debate you with, my dear.

The thing is, being ready to pounce back with a retort is what gets people so angry. If you re not really listening, the other person can tell, and feels disrespected. It s more important in a debate to understand the other person. Instead of feeling like you have to get your own opinion out, or defend it, try to step into the shoes of that other person and understand them. They will appreciate it when you do, and be more willing to hear your side of the story  once their breath is all used up.

The thing that really gets me is when people take offense during these conversations. It can be as simple as the shock and insult people feel when you don t instantly agree with them, or it can be the more common automatic offense they take when another person questions the reasons behind their belief.

It s good to have opinions and beliefs about things, but a way to become less attached and emotional about them, and therefore less easily offended, is to share them more often. Let your beliefs breathe. Let others look your ideas over and talk them out with people  start with family and close friends if this is hard for you. It can make you more open to new ideas and more empathetic to the ideas of others.

The bottom line is this: we are all on different paths, but we re also all together as students in this crazy college experience, and in this chaotic nation.

We need to have more respect for the opinions of others, and start listening, really listening to each other.