The Dialectic Society hashes through current social and political issues in roundtable discussion. The organization meets every Thursday in Ridge West.
Every Thursday, The University of Mississippi Dialectic Society gathers in a Ridge West conference room to discuss events of the past and present, exchanging opinions and seeking new heights of knowledge.
According to the group’s constitution, this is all “in the hope of attaining a broader understanding of the world in which we live.”
The Dialectic Society is in its second semester as an active organization. It consists of founder and president Glisto Rice, vice president Tiffany Odom and three other members.
Odom considers herself a moderate Republican, one member identifies as a Libertarian and the other three, including Rice, consider themselves Democrats, which makes for a diverse and tolerant group.
“We come together and cultivate a mix of different ideas,” Rice said.
Rice also said this was the primary purpose of founding the society.
Last week’s topic of discussion was gun control and its relation to violence.
All participants were focused on the Dialectic Society’s stated purpose, sharing opinions without attempts to convince or convert other members.
Opinions were given with facts and logical conclusions in mind.
Additionally, members took the time to not only hash out individual beliefs, but also to raise specific questions for mutual enlightenment.
Among them were questions for the group’s lone gun-owner as to what qualifies as an assault weapon, how many rounds are in the typical magazine and what factors go into the selection of a weapon for sporting purposes.
When asked about potential for the group’s expansion, Rice said they are looking to grow and add new members.
“We are hoping to add a little more formality and new amendments to the constitution,” Rice said.
“We also plan to accommodate greater numbers by moving to a larger space.”
For now, the group is comfortable using the smaller space and more intimate roundtable format for informal discussion.
Rice said all potential new members are welcome to join the debate and discussion.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a hard-line Republican, a Democrat or a tree hugger,” Rice said.
“When you get different people’s opinions on matters, educated or not, then you now have an insight into their perspective. At the end of the day, that’s all we’re here for.”
Kayla McCarty | The Daily Mississippian
Members of the Dialectic Society meet in the Ridge West Conference Room
