For us at the Clarion, the answer is not easily agreed upon. But, a consensus has been reached.
There is a famous saying: An open mind is like a fortress, with its gates unbarred and unguarded.
As college students, having an open mind is one of the keys to our success. Coming into a class with predetermined notions about a subject, professor or your classmates can leave you lagging behind the class before you even read the syllabus.
This is also true of the topics of general discussion and debate. Although we may have our own beliefs and we stand by them as though they are our birthright, we must not only understand the perspectives of others—but respect them as well.
We live in a country that is well known for being the land of the free, meaning that any and every citizen is entitled to their own opinions and stance on any issue that may arise. But, it does not state that we have to have an open mind to others perspectives.
It’s as if we are blind to the fact that others think differently than we do. Or maybe there are other factors that we do not know about that makes a person do the things they do, or act the way they act.
Having an understanding of others ideals or perspectives makes us better human beings. We at the Clarion believe being open-minded makes us well-rounded.
Keeping an open mind at times can be hard. Sometimes topics of debate can rub you the wrong way. Involving emotions in debate is easy to do. Morals and values will always make a play on how you feel about a topic or a subject in general.
We do not suggest that by keeping an open mind, you entertain false claims, or accept inaccurate information. We do however suggest that you take the time to review the information and make and educated decision on how you feel about the topic.
As college students, it is our quintessential right to explore the information that we are presented in class, at home, at work or with our friends while shooting the breeze.
How you then take that information is your decision.
We all have the capability to progress by learning from others, if we use that capability is solely on us.