10
WWW.GUILFORDlAN.COM
FORUM
Tea Party vs. Coffee Party
By Skylar Larsen
Staff Writer
Conservative versus Liberal.
Republican versus Democrat. Now we
It sounds harmless enough. Every
American has the right to express their
opinion about the way our government
is run, after all.
However, upon visiting their Web
site, I encountered several phrases that
uniquely defined what makes a "true
American." It gave me the impression
that only these "true Patriots" could
join this party and seemed completely
unwelcoming to anyone who did not
share their views on government control.
Obviously, I am not the only one
have ... Tea versus Coffee?
When I heard of this recent political who sees this in the Tea Party's mission,
conflict, the first thing that went through Several people have also met to discuss
my mind was
"Seriously? Do
we really need
another title
for these two
groups?"
However,
while each party
seems to connect
more with either
the liberal or
conservative
mindset, these
If we are to really make changes that we so desperately need
in the way our government is run, we connot approach this
through a narrow, one-sided gaze. We cannot respect some
opinions while turning a blind eye to others.
government.
Guilford College operates with
the principle of promoting diversity
and accepting all perspectives. In
this environment, I do see differences
but I mainly see community. In this
environment, I see disagreement,
but I also see patience, tolerance, and
acceptance. We make progress when we
can.
Perhaps we don't make as many
changes as we might hope for, but we do
make things happen. We try to improve
ourselves and our community.
From my experience here at Guilford,
I can relate more
to the party that
screams, "We don't
care who you are;
we just want you
to be here!" instead
of the one that
demands "You are
an American. Prove
that you are worthy
of being American!"
The Coffee Party
and the Tea Party are
parties cannot be classified under just their opposition to the Tea Party's ideas, still relatively new to me, so perhaps I am
Thus the Coffee Party was formed. making too quick a judgment. However,
Over the past few months, people have if we are to really make changes that
met in coffee houses all over die nation to we so desperately need in the way our
discuss some of the same issues that the government is run, we cannot approach
Tea Party is trying to tackle. But they offer this through a narrow, one-sided gaze,
different solution than their rival party. We cannot respect some opinions while
The Coffee Party's., mission is to turning a blind eye to others,
care, and any other federal government address issues that people have with If the peopfe are unhappy with the
programs. the government through cooperation government, then we aren't going to make
To put it simply, the Tea Party's mission and unity instead of the opposition and any progress by satisfying certain citizens
is every man for himself. They believe rejection the Tea Party utilizes. Members while ignoring the others. Otherwise, we
Americans should make their own living of this party strive for greater diversity will be stuck in a never-ending cycle,
without the aid or intervention of the in hopes of finding a solution to the where there is always some resentment
federal government. problems that the citizens have with the toward our government.
these two categories.
The Tea Party has been operating
for about a year now. It began when
thousands of people gathered to protest
government taxation. Since then,
thousands more have joined in their
.battle against taxation, national health
4$: mezhber^ of Pmm. We ^ppreciat?"The * Instead/the^^ple -
mv^tmg llieGonder Bend ("PRIDE hosts dzithor Stated took a^ght to ^ ,
Gewder Bend.") Howevo^ we feel the article focused day-to-day gender expression, giving a direct example
.It t . .1 r IJ . -it. ..JX. !«,.
even, app^ear. This, vear, PRIDE almost did not hold , dm variance has restated in ostradsm,.jddlence, rape
the dance because felt the focds-had shifted away and even murder, there is nothing "merefylcostume"
Gender Bend to be a fun event, we worked to bringL
education to the forefront this year. We showed a
PowerPoint of faransgend^-icons and activists during
the dance and added more LGBTQ songs to the set list.
We also had six drag perfommnces during the dance.
None of these features were covered in the article,
making the event seem frivolous.
1.1
deeper issm^ suirdunding the^dance. We hope that in
the future The Guilfordian will provide mctfe balanced,
coverage of ouf events,
ojficm of pmm
Turf, vigils, final
four and elections: A
year in review
Every year at Guilford, there are events that
test our dedication to our core values, test the
strength of our bonds with each other, and
reaffirm our dedication to social justice, peace,
and community. And sometimes, we just have
fun and learn tilings.
This year was no different.
It began with a campus transformed: sum
mer construction projects brought us a more
sustainable cafeteria, vegetable gardens, and
the finest of turf football fields. The swim
team was forced to trade high dives for hik
ing shoes as a new fitness center spelled the
end to Guilford's only pool and brought daily
exercise to our front door.
Another record-size first-year class had
campus housing bulging at the seams, and the
changing demographics left some of the com
munity wary of what was to come. Hodgins
Retreat promised and delivered relief for the
overflowing dorms, and threw Guilford's
soaal scene for a loop with "its raucous Animal
House atmosphere. At the same time, Guilford
mourned the loss of a piece of its history as
Keiser House became a smoldering pile of
rubble.
Midway through the fall semester, the
homophobic hate speech in Bryan tested our
community's resolve and gave us a chance to
rally in support of diversity and equality. The
vigil and resulting dialogue were both pro
ductive and peaceful, and the Laramie Project
performance showed that we were part of
something bigger.
With spring came sports. The men's basket
ball team made another inspiring run into the
Final Four. Softball made waves in the ODAC,
tying for first place with a 13-5 record. Golf
rocked the regular season taking first place
honors.
We took a huge step forward with the full
implementation of the Diversity Plan, the core
of the college's commitment to present and
future diversity efforts that for semesters had
languished under-funded.
The Founders project promises to be one of
the most important physical additions to the
campus since the construction of the South
apartments. The administration announced
that the enormous renovation and addition
will include 88 new beds, more space for
student organizations, dining, and a new
courtyard.
Community Senate made its own contri
bution to the campus fabric in the form of
$302,000 for better wireless infrastructure,
finally bringing Guilford out of the techno
logical dark ages.
Senate also contributed a great deal of con
troversy in the form of disputes over election
processes and by-laws, testing the practical
application of our Quaker values. After an
outpouring of community interest and several
marathon meetings, a constructive and inclu
sive dialogue prevailed.
And next year, it all starts over again.