Why don't you talk?

For nearly four months I have given my best shot at filling the role of editor for the Opinion section of the Weather Vane, and have frequently felt nothing but frustration. As I arrived at EMU, I expected a politically-alive campus. I expected debates and conversation; people facing struggles and challenges and attempting to figure them out.

I sure haven't felt much of that. Granted, Common Grounds has a good variety of discussions on a variety of issues. These should be applauded, but how well are they attended? I doubt most students even know an opinion board is present in the Campus Center because it is usually hidden behind several obstacles.

The most valuable course I'm taking this semester is Introduction to Politics, and in that course I have learned what is necessary in order for a country to be a true democracy. Two of those requirements are control of the agenda and enlightened understanding.

The small issue we have had here regarding the absence of an American flag on campus interests me greatly. Clearly, whoever put the flags up this fall as a "joke" had opinions and feelings that EMU should fly an American flag. Why the trepidation to let their identities be known?

If there's even a hint of fear of persecution or discrimination, those of us who do not want a flag flown on campus should be ashamed. Our stance is not supported by mainstream America, so we should know how it feels to have an opinion that falls outside of the norm.

To have control of the agenda means to have control of the ideas and discussions being thought and talked about in society or, in this case, the school. You have the opportunity every single week to take control of the agenda. I have not received a single "Letter to the Editor" this entire semester. Who can imagine a newspaper whose readers do not send letters to the editor? How can that newspaper be expected to represent the student body and the things they have to say?

Dialogue has to occur if anyone is going to grow. Another crucial ingredient of democracy is enlightened understanding, which dialogue and communication foster. I was glad to hear about the forum on homosexuality, which occurred Tuesday evening at Common Grounds. Regarding a concern full of strong emotions, fear and misunderstanding at all levels, if dialogue can only bring a small bit of understanding to the issue, then it should be encouraged.

I'm not ready to give up on EMU. Galen Wenger will be returning from Washington and the WCSC Program next semester to take on the role of Opinion Editor once again. I hope he has better success at getting readers invested than I have.