Every Wednesday night at 6:30, The University of Mississippi Dialectic Society meets in Farley Hall to freely debate about topics prepared by its officers. Rather than an organization for like-minded individuals, the Dialectic Society is a diverse group of students who are encouraged to express and defend conflicting opinions.
“This group is so great because we’re really young and we can be so uncensored sometimes; this group helps us learn how to say things in a more politically correct way and to be mindful of others’ feelings,” said Tiffany Odom, Dialectic Society president.
On Oct. 2, the Dialectic Society planned to discuss the government shutdown and the Affordable Care Act. The first 30 minutes of the meeting were devoted solely to spirited debate of this topic, with widely ranging opinions.
After a while, discourse flowed into other tangential topics, and the discussion proceeded from Obamacare to health care in general, religious freedom and abortions.
In one instance, opinions began to skew to the offensive, names were called, and one member walked out and did not return. However, Odom took the opportunity to call the debate to a standstill and remind all present that civility was of the utmost importance.
She encouraged members not to toe any particular party line.
“Let’s just all be people,” she said.
Those who had engaged in the offensive comments apologized, explained that they did not mean to hurt feelings and were forgiven by the collective.
Any and all students are encouraged to attend meetings, which are held Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Resource Room or front lobby of Farley Hall.
Member Tanner Kuntz jokingly gave the Dialectic Society’s unofficial motto as, “E.L.E.: Everybody love everybody.”
The Dialectic Society can be found on Facebook as The University of Mississippi Dialectic Society, and on Twitter as @olemiss_ds.
