The titles of Republican and Democrat are created based on beliefs or values associated with them –– their essential purpose is to divide people into coalitions of similar beliefs. For example, one can generally assume that a Republican supports gun rights and a Democrat supports gun control. That, however, is the fatal flaw of such titles –– you rarely truly know someone’s beliefs until you sit down and talk with them. That sure is the case with me.

According to The Washington Post, “When we hear ‘Democrat’ or ‘Republican,’ we often think about who that party is. That is, we associate certain racial, religious and social groups with each party.” Such generalizations, however, often prove both superfluous and erroneous. 

Last school year, I wrote the article “Leaning right in a left-leaning environment,” where I described  my experiences of living in an environment that predominantly comprises left-leaners. I received both praise and backlash alike from writing this article. As a Republican, I was given the title of ‘white supremacist’ by some of my peers through various means of social media messages and texts. Those who believe all Republicans are racist would do well to remember that Lincoln was a Republican.

According to the OPUSD Board Policy, “The Governing Board believes that free inquiry and exchange of ideas are essential parts of a democratic education. The Board respects students’ rights to express ideas and opinions, take stands on issues, and support causes, even when such speech is controversial or unpopular.” 

With this policy, backed by the precedent set over 2 centuries ago in the United States Constitution, students have the right to both freedom of press and speech in a public forum. The Talon has an opinion section that is a place for articles like mine and many others to be published. 

This article is not supposed to be a blame game or a way to release built up anger. It is to show that there is a very politically diverse and contentious environment nowadays that can cause people to hide their opinions out of fear of being misunderstood, or worse, attacked. This silencing out of fear is a type of censorship. 

Censorship has evidently no longer taken the form of higher-ups blocking content from the outside world. Instead, it has materialized as attempts by opposing sides at suppression through name-calling and slander. Proponents of certain political beliefs should no longer live in fear of backlash or “cancellation.” It is a humiliating and daunting characteristic of speaking one’s opinions that may be considered controversial. 

The idea of political polarization has been a prominent topic since 1994. According to Pew Research Center, “Partisan polarization remains the dominant, seemingly unalterable condition of American politics. Republicans and Democrats agree on very little – and when they do, it often is in the shared belief that they have little in common.” 

Human nature has a major fatal flaw when it comes into politics; we like to create categories based on the stereotypical ideas that we develop around similar characteristics. That simple category system isn’t as simple in politics because we just assume political labels to embody the entirety of an individual’s values before we actually know the specific beliefs of that individual. 

For example, the political issue of having a vaccine mandate and not having one is where I’m in opposition of my party. I believe that there should be a mandate not only because it keeps me safe but my family and others as well. It’s not a question of if you should have to get the vaccine; it’s a request to keep others safe. I believe that the COVID-19 vaccine is like getting the flu shot or shots to be able to come to school.  

With my opinions being out in the open, I worry it could cause damage to my reputation and character. Future teachers could have an incorrect view of me before I even have them, and past teachers might change the way they see me as a student. Within the sharing of politics there should be tolerance for what others say about their viewpoints. That’s the whole point of political discourse—respect. 

Respecting someone and their beliefs is a major part of talking politics. Respect me and I’ll respect you and our country will move forward in a positive way.