The past two weeks at the University of Mississippi have been filled with the kind of dynamic discourse that should be expected at any institution of higher learning in America. We as a student body successfully offered widely differing opinions on one of the most controversial topics in current political discourse and emerged having mostly treated one another with the “civility and respect” that our Creed and administration expect of us.
We should all be proud.
However, while those of us who wholeheartedly supported the removal of the state flag from campus are able to cheer and pat ourselves on the back for the campaign that we mounted and the job well done, those who stood by the flag with an equal amount of pride and conviction left the senate meeting last Tuesday night empty-handed and disheartened.
As the Director of Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement for the ASB Cabinet, it is my job to look at this campus, listen to the student body, and find ways to make this campus a more inclusive and inviting place – for everyone. I was a co-sponsor of the resolution last week because I sincerely believe that the University of Mississippi is a better place when that flag and the symbolism that it holds isn’t flying in our Circle. That being said, pro-flag students are just as much a part of the student body as anyone else who pays and should continue to feel like their views are still welcome here.
We live in an age where, especially among millennials, people’s political stances define who they are and the kind of people with whom they associate. When looking at how polarized the stances of progressive people and more conservative people continually become, I can’t help but wonder why we define ourselves by political beliefs and ostracize people who don’t agree with us. Our entire political system is built on compromise, and we as emerging leaders should take that to heart.
During the last days before the vote, I heard people from opposing camps call others whom they disagreed with “racist,” “too politically correct” or “ignorant.”
I think these generalizations leave no room for variations in political belief or for critical thought on why people believe what they believe. The most important thing I have learned in college is how to find value in a person’s views and beliefs and to be able accept their opinion with poise while also fighting for the exact opposite in my own projects and endeavors.
I attended a talk given by U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves on Tuesday night and left with many applicable suggestions by Judge Reeves on how to deal with the tensions that exist on campus since the flag was removed on Monday. He said that it is important to practice “moral leadership” on issues that affect any people-group negatively, even if you personally aren’t negatively impacted.
We aren’t conquerors who have overcome an “evil” opposition. We should never mock or look down upon people whom we disagree with – even if those people wish us ill. Not every pro-flag person is a “racist” and not every anti-flag person is an “emotional college student” – people are way more nuanced than that kind of generic branding allows.
Camille Walker, who spoke at the NAACP/NPHC/Black Lives Matter rally two weeks ago, taught me that anything not done in love and compassion for true equality and inclusiveness for all people is misguided.
If we push people further and further away from the causes that we believe in by attacking them at any given opportunity, how could we ever expect our opposition to join us? Shouldn’t that be the goal of argument and debate – to argue with just enough knowledge and determination that you convince your opponent that they might be wrong? We saw this happen at the senate debate over the flag, and it really was a beautiful thing to witness. Students changed their minds and voted for or against removing the flag because their fellow students had loved them enough to treat them not as enemies, but as people with different backgrounds and experiences that led them to vote differently and perceive the situation differently.
For anti-flag people who want to promote tolerance and inclusion, please be tolerant and inclusive with the people whom you have engaged in battle for the past several weeks.
For pro-flag people who may feel dejected or unheard by the student body and the ASB as a whole, we hear you and we want you to continue to be engaged in conversations on campus.
We need to work together for the betterment of a campus with a littered past and an increasingly bright future. It is important to remember that, while social issues are very important and we should fight for what we believe to be right, it is also important to practice patience, understanding, and empathy with our fellow students and with people that you disagree with.
Alex Borst is a senior international studies major from Madison.
