Do you care about current events? I'm assuming that most everyone said yes and some then questioned why I would ask such an obvious and stupid question.
The truth is, I don't know that much about my readers. Here we have an open forum for debate, the Campus Viewpoints page and the vast majority of the student body has opted to remain silent.
College students are typically stereotyped as having a lot to say and very strong opinions. So why haven't I heard that many from the Marquette students?
I came up with four possible explanations of why you're not writing in. You don't…
1. have an interest or opinion.
2. have the time.
3. read the Tribune.
4. want your name published.
Let me immediately deflate two of these thoughts. I see a lot of people picking up and reading the paper, so goodbye point three. As for the "I don't have any time" reason, I completely understand, but honestly how much time does it take to write 500 words per month? Not very much.
Perhaps, you don't want your name published, but if you believe in what you are saying and present it in an educated manner, then why not proudly share it?
So I'm left to wonder point one and question if our generation has become complacent and uninterested in the current events and controversial issues making headlines.
Here's a few of the topics in the news this week: abortion, stem cells, gay marriage, the war in Iraq and smoking bans. Many of these issues question our Catholic identity and will in some way directly or indirectly affect each of us.
It's crucial for students to hear each others' thoughts, become educated on the multiple dimensions of an issue and to create a personal opinion. Too often I see debates and issues polarized by political ideologies or become heated because of close-mindedness.
For our generation, 9/11 threatened our national security and woke us up to the evils of the world. We're living in a time where terrorism, war, poverty, discrimination and doubts in our government are realities. Plus, there's an array of social, local and campus issues that deserve our attention.
I know many students who are in fact very concerned over and follow current issues. I think it benefits everyone for students to bring personal perspective and opinions to page five of the Tribune. Maybe you'll be the one to open someone's eyes or change an opinion.
The addition of a second student-produced news publication on campus and the growing popularity of blogs, shows that there are many students who are passionate about our society. Yet I still believe there are many who have intelligent views to contribute to the debate realm, yet they choose to remain close-lipped.
Vanity Fair had an essay contest last September that posed the question: "What is on the mind of America's youth?" I'd like to present that question to the entire student body and cross my fingers that the debates begin.
