Opinion | 4/24/08

The political race can be found on the television, radio, Web and other media. But what about your classrooms? Does your philosophy, government, or law teacher speak of the race? While those wouldn't surprise me, I wonder if other classes are discussing the topic and whether it's OK. Politics in the classroom are fine by me. Towson University is primarily a liberal school, which means we as students can have our own thoughts, beliefs and should feel free to express them. I think staff should feel free to express their beliefs too. But if I were a staff member, I wouldn't. I wouldn't want students frowning upon my left-or right-wing view. Some people are cruel and will not give you the time of day once you have announced who you support. But then again, staff controls grades. So they can say that Barack Obama needs to give up or that John McCain is not going to make it four years in the White House. It's really the job of the student to take in what their professors say and analyze it. You don't have to agree with them. If you feel like you can make a good enough debate then stand up for yourself.

I have a teacher that regularly talks about politics. Unfortunately it is in a 9:30 a.m. class so most of the students are only half awake, but election talk does perk the ears of many. The key for a professor to successfully discuss politics with 18-22 year olds is to be lighthearted and poke fun. In reference to Hillary Clinton my professor said, "She's going to work wonders for pantsuits." That got quite a chuckle as he continued to talk about the candidates.

He also said, "what leader isn't available at 3 a.m." when a phone call comes in? I never really thought about that saying and have always been more interested in how the candidates responded. What a dumb subject for the news and political candidates to cover. You will always have guards and people awake while you are asleep. You can't just hit a snooze button on your bodyguard or call up the president runner-up (like the hilarious skit on "SNL" last week).

I've always been a firm believer in teachers sidetracking in class. It's the opportunity for you to hear life stories and lessons that you may not have learned from your $200 textbook.

So speak about politics and open the eyes of your students. We are from Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and many other places with different backgrounds and we should feel free to openly discuss who we support. Politics needs to stop being such a taboo subject. If you don't like someone's opinion, then maybe you weren't meant to be friends or maybe you can learn to overcome it.

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