By Emma Cummins

Staff Writer

“Guys calm down, we don’t need to argue about it.”

But wait, why shouldn’t we discuss it?

Recently, I participated in a group discussion about assimilation. Given this controversial and modern topic, many of my friends and I began to discuss the different aspects of assimilation and the conversation became heated.

After discussing isolationist foreign policy, we found ourselves to be arguing about immigration and intervening in other countries. A few tidbits we covered was whether or not it was fair to expect immigrants to know the basics of U.S. history, if colonization was unfair and whether or not America had a right to intervene in the Middle East.

Since many of my friends feel strongly about current events, we began to argue about the founding of the country and what the “melting pot” signified in our country’s beliefs.

After debating for a few minutes, other students tried to stop us from discussing the topic because we were arguing. For me, discussing controversial topics will always become heated, but I don’t see it as a reason never to have them. Granted, I’m sure those halting the conversation were worried that each other’s feelings would be hurt since we disagreed. These were my friends too, but I didn’t want to stop such a philosophical conversation simply because we disagreed passionately.

In an earlier issue, The Sidekick staff tackled political correctness and it’s stifling of honest conversations. While that is an important angle, there are many others factors that are affecting our generation and its ability to choose wisely and discuss controversial topics. That would be the willingness to give up their own opinions because another peer’s feelings would be hurt.

The politically correct groups want Americans to have rights, unless their feelings get in the way or disagree with their points.

This kind of thinking will only aggravate the problems not solve them. Best case scenario, the intentions of the politically correct group are to foster a sense of unity and tolerance, but the idea of shutting anyone up because the facts will shed light on an unfortunate truth, is ludicrous.

Wesleyan University in Connecticut recently began to offer a “LGBTTQQFAGPBDSM” housing. If you are unfamiliar with what this acronym includes, it is a safe space for all who identify as “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, questioning, flexual, asexual, genderf**k, polyamorous, bondage/discipline, dominance/submission and sadism/masochism.”

The ridiculous attempts by politically correct organizations and colleges to try and please everyone is epitomized in this laughable move by Wesleyan. Instead of using their time and effort to solve real problems, in a futile effort to not offend anyone Wesleyan has made the road to reality and objectivity that much farther away.

By trying to include every single type of sexuality, they have lost sight of reality. The reality is that there is no way to include every single type of sexuality. By catering to specific students, the way to maintain order is being obfuscated. It isn’t objective to include every name, its objective to treat each and every student as the rest. There is a thin line between trying to make students feel comfortable and reaching ridiculousness in that objective.

While I would say that there are definite issues within America, these issues need to solved with a matter-of-fact attitude. The only way to solve problems is to do so objectively. We should understand that in the creation of our country, the opposing and debate of ideas were supported by many revolutionaries.

Talking about issues of our day with an objective standpoint is the best way to solve problems, even if it may take a while. Being passionate about something is commendable and should never be shoved under the rug.

America has come a long way since its founding, some good and some bad. But Americans must remember that we are all Americans, not different groups of people crowded into one region of land. And so I would leave with this, to factor feelings and century-old issues into today’s problem is not the way to solve problems.

It is time to teach my generation to focus on what’s best for everyone and not make decisions out of fear of hurting other’s feelings.