Student Trustee

Colleagues,

In light of the current social and political climate, I understand that tensions are high. Passion has lit a fire in many of us the last several months, even if that issue is that you’re tired of seeing political memes on your timeline or Twitter feed. I ask only that we continue our empathy for each other.

People on both sides of the aisle, and even some in the middle, have fears about what the future holds for our country and for the world. I understand these fears and I try to understand the fears of those who disagree with my own. I ask the same of you.

Our mere presence at this institution shows our value of higher-education. Learning cannot take place in hostile environments. We cannot learn without facts, nor learn without an openness to views different from our own. I implore each of you to use these times and your time at CSC, to learn. Learn about opinions and perceptions that are different from your own. Learn about the thoughts, feelings and fears from the other side of the aisle.

The days of yelling and name-calling must end. Domestic incivility must end. That is how hatred is spread, not ideas. Those who oppose you are not fundamentally bad people, and those making decisions for your own side may misstep occasionally.

The only way that we will move past the heartbreak and division caused by this last election cycle, and the past few weeks, is to educate ourselves on the issues, engage in debate and conversation with those holding differing perspectives, and stop identifying ourselves by the letter next to a name on a ballot.

I will be the last person to ask someone to suppress Constitutional Rights, but, I am inclined to note that with those rights, comes the duty to our fellow citizen, to assert that right in a responsible, informed and civil manner. I ask this of those on the right, and on the left: Empathize with your fellow human. People will always be more important than policies.

Express ideas, entertain ideas, and be willing to discuss without pretention or offense. With that, let’s move forward. Extend the olive branch and start the conversation.

Sincerely,
Coy T. Clark

Student Trustee