A Call for Opinions

As a senior, I have hardly been at Gonzaga long enough to have a time-worthy perspective of changes in the functioning and policies of the University. But taking a look at the Bulletin archives, this year seems particularly newsworthy, with some prominent titles including: "Gonzaga's Identity Crisis," "Senior social events canceled," and, of course, "Westboro coming to Spokane." The student body, and particularly seniors, have become increasingly opinionated about decisions being made and events (or lack thereof) occurring on campus.

There was, however, a problem with many of our opinions: Most were not heard. My friends and I frequently had discussions in which we worked ourselves into a frenzy talking about, for example, senior events being canceled. It was as if we were ready to stage a revolution against the school administration. Facebook, a highly attuned cultural barometer, was flooded with angry statuses from students emboldened by the technology. Unfortunately, hysterical rhetoric and Facebook updates largely did not make it past circles of friends who typically had the same opinions and our unrefined views would have most likely been detrimental to the cause if they had been voiced to an authority. To be sure, numerous students stepped up, wrote letters, attended meetings, and went through the necessary bureaucratic motions, but the majority were unheard and it was often their own fault.

For progress to occur there must be disagreement at some stage, but it is impossible to disagree if we are "preaching to the choir." Certainly didactic preaching has its uses. For one, it is validating. Very few of us would ever have our opinions heard if we did not know one person, or, more likely, a great many people, who agreed with us. Furthermore, it is investigatory. Our opinion has its reasons, but someone else may hold the same opinion for additional reasons, thus strengthening our position. And finally, perhaps best of all, it is fun to agree. But, at a certain point the utility of our opinionated confidants wears thin, and continued discourse becomes an exercise in gossip.

The necessary successive step is to present an opinion to someone who does not empathize with you. The Opinion section of the Bulletin is an invaluable tool that allows us to do so. The lack of empathy in the receiving party of a disagreement is precisely what forces us to sharpen our opinions and make them effective persuasive tools. I am not asking you to be disagreeable. One-sided rhetoric is disagreeable. I am asking you to be agreeable by giving your opinions the best defense you can afford them and submitting them to the scrutiny of the Bulletin readership.

Do not let your opinions die in conversations over drinks with your friends. Put your thoughts in a formal  venue where they are more likely to be taken heed. It is for these reasons I have decided to become a columnist and likewise why I ask you to submit your opinions.