By Katherine Yaremko
No one would refute that Hofstra is home to a rich, diverse community-a setting where individuals with numerous backgrounds and religious and political views converge to further their education and expand their horizons, both academically and socially. One would believe that among such a diverse setting, constantly encountering people very different from oneself, it would be much easier to develop respect and admiration for foreign cultures. However, I am greatly disturbed by what I am hearing from some students and from my own personal experience on campus.
One fellow student was kind enough to describe to me a shocking encounter in one of her classes. A classmate of hers was expressing an opinion on the Hebrew calendar, calling the system “stupid” and its creation a “Jew” thing to do.
Another incident unfolded during Free Speech Day. The organization POISE placed a podium just outside of Axinn Library. Throughout Common Hour, students could voice their opinion on issues that mattered to them, giving all willing to participate a chance to deliver their message to the masses. In a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a freedom often taken for granted, courageous students stepped onto a stark white box, emblazoned with the word POISE in black paint, to clarify, vent and inform the campus on what was important to them.
One such speaker particularly drew my attention. With much anger, he delivered his opinion on the Iraq War and illegal immigration. Perfectly acceptable. I was actually glad to hear an opposing argument following the very liberal speech given just a few moments earlier. But soon I saw things turn ugly. “Liberalism is a mental disorder,” he expressed at the beginning and closing of his speech. What disturbed me was not the stab thrust at individuals holding liberal points of view, but a stab was issued at a collective group of people rather than at a specific idea. Had he stated, “I hate liberalism and its ideals” as opposed to initiating a direct attack on those who hold such views, I would not have been offended. As Voltaire said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” In no way am I attempting to judge this school or its students, nor am I claiming that these few isolated incidents represent a majority of the opinions on campus. I am well aware that many people here are open and respectful. I am also aware that I will probably draw anger and criticism from those who feel they are being misrepresented and portrayed in an illegitimate light. Let me state that I do not wish to stigmatize those individuals involved in the situations described earlier. The main purpose of this piece is to convey what I witnessed.
Unfortunately, discrimination of every facet exists throughout the world, and its presence destroys the ability to reconcile deep divides and nurture peace and communication among various peoples; its presence is still shocking. It is my hope that the majority of students here do not foster such counterproductive thoughts, and when we do encounter such hatred, that we do not add to the fire by responding with immediate, impulsive anger. We must collect our thoughts and present them in a clear and nonviolent manner.
Hatred will always exist, but through education and awareness, its effects can be diminished. If the purpose of my words does nothing more than to raise a question within the minds of those stagnant souls, than it has done its job.
Katherine Yaremko is a freshman broadcast journalism student. You may e-mail her at [email protected].
