We have to talk to the elephant in the room. And in a responsible way. As a community, we relish in our liberal majority, but not all political discourse is created equal. You’re in a classroom and your professor takes a break from a lecture and goes for political comic relief— what comes out is a sophisticated version of cafeteria humor. These comments by students and professors alike resonate with our campus’ silent majority, but their political implications hit everyone’s ears differently. Republicans exist, even at Barnard, and, especially in the wake of this election, they deserve respect.
President Spar, at her fireside chat about the election, asked the question “Does it make anyone uncomfortable that there are no Republicans in the room?” But even she took part in this type of humor in her inaugural keynote address with a quip that evoked a partisan response. “…we are witnessing an unprecedented national election—one that has seen women come closer than ever before to reaching the White House - in one way or another - and one that may see our country’s first African-American president.” The end of her sentence was barely audible; after the italicized comment (that was added to her speech ad hoc) the whole church erupted in laughter.
The difficult part of analyzing such a comment is that the comment itself is wholly dependent on atmosphere, tone and, in this case, the audience’s reaction. This ambiguity drives the discomfort that many Republicans on campus feel. It’s not what’s said, but where and how it’s said.
As our centerpiece uncovers, 43 percent of Barnard students polled feel uncomfortable expressing their personal political views; that percentage is nowhere near the number of students who identify as conservative or moderate. This environment breeds disrespect that affects liberals as much as it does the rest of the student body, and in turn we’re politically polarized.
Liberal arts doesn’t always equal liberal.
A column by Ava Friedmann
We’re all used to inhaling those tempting smells as we walk past countless food carts in the city. That sweet caramelized sugar scent invades the air around Nuts for Nuts carts. Hot dogs, shwarma, and pretzels call out to us with their almost comforting aromas. Lucky for us, there’s a new [...]
by Julianna Storch
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is reaching the ripe old age of 82 this year. In its long life, it has touched the lives of several generations, as Americans from every corner of the country tune in each fall. Eloise Owens, BC ’12, recounts, “Every Thanksgiving, it’s a tradition for my family to [...]
by Shazeeda Bhola
We are all very familiar with the topic of gentrification and the debates it spurs. We have heard about, seen, and possibly participated in the protests against Columbia University’s expansion into Harlem. If this example tells us anything about gentrification, it would be that the end goal is inevitable. No community in New [...]
A column by Ava Friedmann
My best friend put it perfectly when she stated simply, “I feel so bad for anyone who hasn’t been to Chinatown.” Filled with exotic food stores, intriguing smells, and chotchkies for sale at every corner, Chinatown is an unforgettable time. More specifically, I feel bad for anyone who has not experienced [...]
by Caroline Casey
Chicly clad, high-end hipsters cluster around the doorway of 181 West 10th Street, identifying Bobo in the absence of a conventional sign. Right off of Seventh Avenue, though, it’s still far from hidden. It’s not as if you could walk by and miss it by the sheer level of noise - chatter and [...]
