It is true that society has developed in such a way that certain behavior is anticipated based upon certain sociological, geographical or religious heritage. Geographical distinctions are likely the simplest to discuss and compare. Southerners are expected to like guns and trucks. East coasters are expected to be pompous and wealthy. Midwesterners are expected to be kind and generous (and, of course, are). These sets of stereotypes and preconceived notions of behavior cause us to quickly generalize an individual’s expected choices the moment we begin to know who they are.
For those of you who do not know me personally, I tend to be a bit of a contrarian: constantly tending to disagree with the consensus of those in my presence and defying the trends of my geopolitical and religious origins. Eternally astray in a sea of viewpoints, I usually happen to — subconsciously or otherwise — choose viewpoints with which many people in my day-to-day life take issue. Be it my support for both Republicans and the decriminalization of marijuana, I am inclined to ostracize more than I convert.
As an example, I have a Bush/Cheney sticker on my bag that I carry around from class to class. Just as any politically involved student ought to, I feel strongly about my views and am proud to lend my support to those whom I believe deserve it. That being the case, I innocently thought nothing was wrong with the act in and of itself. So I walk around, all day long, carrying this sticker visible for all of Madison to see. And then I run into one of my friends, who, upon seeing the sticker, noted how disgusting it was. I am certain many of you agree with those sentiments.
Now, because this person is my friend, I know that she was ultimately joking: she said as much afterward. I then asked her how she would feel if I told her that the Kerry/Edwards stickers many students proudly carry on their backpacks disgust me? How would she feel if the anti-Bush pins, posters, flyers, street vendors and engravings in the sidewalk offended my moral sensibilities, filling me with feelings of profound aversion? Her answer was the obvious one: she would not like that one bit. Nevertheless, for some reason people seem to think it’s OK to do the exact same thing to those who disagree with them.
I know my friend was joking — and I can only hope the others I have encountered that have reacted similarly were as well. But I don’t think they were. In the week or so that I have been carrying around this sticker on my bag, I have received generally the same reactions. While there have been a few positive comments (which, I will admit, pleasantly surprised me), by and large the sticker has been met with responses ranging from confused second glances, glares from eyes filled with fire and rage, name calling and even outright heckling. It is truly as if, simply by supporting a different candidate than the one that is more popular in Madison, I am somehow unwelcome here.
No one would ever admit to this. No one would ever claim that this is true, and many would adamantly deny any possibility that this is true. Perhaps that is indicative, by virtue of that fact itself, that my sentiments are unfounded. The simple truth that many would be loathe to prescribe to such feelings might be enough to dissuade my fears.
But it doesn’t.
I cannot help but feel as though my unpopular views here in Madison somehow effectuate my status as a second-class citizen. I can be here, but only because those who believe in the popular viewpoint won’t force me out. I sometimes wonder how many wish they could.
Just as much of the student body has strong beliefs about American politics and the views that they hold dear, those who disagree with the Madison consensus do as well. Those who dissent hold every conclusion that seems so obvious, so simple and so basic to appear almost universal with equal conviction as those who do not. Over the past few years, Madison has become my home, and I truly cherish the time I spend here. There is no other university I would rather attend. Only as of late have I actually felt like a stranger in my home. I always knew my viewpoints are unpopular with many of the students on this campus, but it never hit me in such a bold way until now.
Some say we learned everything we need to know in kindergarten. Beyond finger-painting and the alphabet, we did learn something fundamental: the golden rule. Treat others as you yourself would like to be treated. Respecting the views of those who disagree is the very foundation of a functioning civil society. Maybe we need to work to relearn this simple lesson before we really ever can expect to have a stronger America.
Zach Stern ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in political science.
