I’m a Democrat but that doesn’t mean I’m a bible-bashing, gun-stealing communist who believes Wall Street bankers are secretly Satan’s minions. Likewise, not all Republicans are racist, AR-15 wielding homophobes who want all Americans to convert to Christianity.

College is a time where students are allowed, even encouraged, to expand their horizons, question ideas and engage in debate. I think both the politically active, and inactive, students of Wofford are dealt a disservice by the lack of Democratic representation on campus. As showcased in the most recent Presidential election, national partisanship is alive and well. I believe most people agree that partisanship is not healthy for a republic nor for any society. The way to combat this is through dialogue. How then, can Wofford begin this dialogue when one of the two major political parties isn’t even represented on campus?

I think the main issue is fear of stigmatization. It’s clear that most Wofford students identify as Republican or hold a more conservative outlook, and that can be intimidating for a closeted Democrat. However, I’d like to believe that if someone were to announce their political affiliation, and subsequent beliefs, the people in the room holding conflicting opinions would hear them out and not hold it against them as a person.

The experience I’ve had so far at Wofford has been a predominantly positive one. I count two staunch Republicans as good friends and have debated topics from abortion to gun rights with them. I also know there are many Republicans with whom I am friends; they are exceptional people all around. I even have a conservative-leaning Libertarian as a roommate, meaning our fridge is decorated with many lovely pro-capitalism and anti-Democratic Party stickers.

As a note of caution for Democrats at Wofford, or any minority for that matter, don’t let your views be known until you have built up a rapport with those around you. This means that when you finally reveal your differences, those around you hopefully won’t hold it against your character – they already know you’re a decent, respectable human-being.

I urge all liberals and Democrats not to be afraid of what your lab partner, roommate or friend may think and give your opinion, which is as valid as theirs, the voice it is so desperately lacking. Part of the reason I chose to come to Wofford was that I knew I would be in the minority with my political and social opinions. I wanted to understand the reasoning and mindset that “the other side” has; I wanted to have a dialogue. So far, apart from sporadic conversations, I have yet to find a forum where I know I will be both respected and challenged.

As I think ahead to the next four years of Wofford and America, a quote from John Kerry comes to mind: “The American Spirit wears no political label. In service to others and yes, in sacrifice for our country, there are no Republicans; there are no Democrats; there are only Americans.

Tom Stack ‘20