Choate Rosemary Hall brings in many speakers to teach, inspire, and influence its students. Even though speakers play an important role at Choate in the eyes of many students and teachers, the speakers invited to campus almost always present ideas and opinions that align with those of the administration. Choate and many of its students stand on the left end of the spectrum. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that, but Choate tends to forget that there are still many students who have opinions and beliefs that lean towards the conservative side.
Although the messages of the speakers resonate with most of the student body, regardless of their political leanings, the Choate administration has excluded a subset of its students from having their opinions spread to the entire community. Choate Rosemary Hall prides itself on having a very diverse community of people. For example, the activities and discussions held on MLK Day emphasized the importance of diversity and difference in the Choate community. However, although Choate acknowledges this diversity, it fails to acknowledge that Choate is comprised of students diverse in thought. If Choate brings in speakers with opinions that embody the ideals of Choate, then Choate should also bring in speakers that have differing opinions than the majority of the student body. By doing this, Choate will provide a platform for an unacknowledged group of students and teachers.
Choate should still bring in speakers who exemplify the beliefs and opinions of Choate and the majority. However, there should be a fair balance between speakers who have liberal ideas and speakers who have conservative ideas. This does not mean that Choate needs a one-to-one ratio of liberal and conservative speakers. But it does mean that if Choate is going to require attendance for a liberal-minded speaker, then it is only fair that Choate require attendance for a conservative-minded speaker as well. Although a conservative speaker might not be accepted by the majority of the student body, a significant group of people would enjoy their message. Students that may complain of sitting through a spiel they disagree with need to realize that many Choate students do that on a consistent basis.
By not bringing those who have more conservative thoughts to share, Choate is not only dismissing the beliefs of some of its students and teachers, but also doing a disservice to the majority of the student body. How can Choate expect its students to form an argument behind their own ideas and opinions if they never expose them to ideas that contradict them?
It will not be easy for Choate to bring in speakers with opposing viewpoints. There will likely be some form of protest from members of the community. Even though this may be a difficult process, it is unjust and unfair for Choate to ignore a subset of the population. It is time for Choate to realize that not every person in the Choate community has the same opinion. It is time for Choate to give a voice to the students and teachers whose opinions and beliefs remain unnoticed and unacknowledged.
