Compassionate diversity

On the liberal to conservative spectrum, I lean left, religiously and politically. So, in fact, do most of my friends.

Fortunately for me, the EMU community welcomes and endorses my liberal "progressive" worldview in many ways: I can go to chapel and hear MCC workers rebuke the U.S. government's use of violence. I can join Peace Fellowship or Students for Nader, attend peace vigils and protests, recycle my pop cans, and drink Fair Trade coffee without being looked at funny.

Progressive/liberal voices here on campus are certainly being heard; and that leaves me wondering about the other voices. Where is EMU's "silent minority?" We know they're out there; 30-40% of voting students chose Bush Nov. 2, according to a recent survey.

We value open-mindedness. Intelligent discussion begs the inclusion of multiple viewpoints. If this is the case, why would a Republican student, for example, choose not to speak up on behalf of the Incumbent among Democratic friends during a pre-election discussion? Or what about a student whose uncle or sister is fighting in Iraq--couldn't they make valuable contributions in a debate about the war?

Perhaps they are just modest or would rather listen than argue. Or perhaps they are afraid of being censured.

What happens when students who hold minority viewpoints speak up, only to have their opinions shot down? Students often ridicule people they disagree with. What if someone who agrees with the person being ridiculed happens to overhear? We can't claim to value all sides of an issue if we're drowning out the opposition, in public or in private.

Granted, some homogeny is expected--and even desirable--at a church-affiliated institution. EMU must uphold a certain creed to maintain its identity, keeping in mind that the progressive Mennonite worldview is by nature at odds with that of larger society. Pacifists might count ourselves part of EMU's "audible majority," but off campus we are the vast minority.

So when we engage each other about "the issues," let's pay close attention to how we speak. Do our tone of voice and word choice communicate room for dialogue or turn people away? Is it possible to speak tactfully without compromising conviction?

But even more important, we must learn to listen with integrity. Each individual's beliefs and opinions are windows into a unique personal narrative, and deserve to be treated with respect.

Both the "silent minority" and "audible majority" have an important role in making EMU a place where diversity of thought within the body of believers is affirmed, instead of seen as a threat to uni(formi)ty.