When I walked out of my American History class a few weeks ago, I could not have been prouder of myself. We had just finished a discussion on the importance of labor unions in society. As we covered everything from Governor Scott Walker's controversial union bill to the school district's teachers association and tenure, I managed to compose myself and hold back all of my strong thoughts on the topic. This is something quite unusual for me, as I am rarely reluctant to express my strong conservative views.
I knew I had already previously gotten myself into trouble in that class with a controversial political comment. However, at this particular time, by holding myself back, I thought I had escaped my political battle of the day. But of course, this was not the case. I was approached later in the afternoon by another teacher of mine. She had just read an opinion piece I published in my school's newspaper, Spectrum, in which I expressed my disapproval of the Occupy Wall Street movement. She was curious to know how I could comment on the protests without actually witnessing them in person. She asked if I had actually taken the time to go down to Zucotti Park. "No!" I hastily responded, "It seems way too scary to be around those people." I followed up by asking, "Why, where you there?" knowing for sure that she would say no. But, it was just my luck that this very teacher had enjoyed taking part in the protests and therefore was a part of the particular group of people I had not-so-kind words for.
The Occupy Wall Street movement is a perfect example of how hot political topics can frequently be brought up in school, and sometimes cause issues, especially for stubborn-minded students like me. In the past month, my teachers in my physical education, statistics, Spanish, English, American history, and calculus classes have all gotten involved in class discussions on the protestors in Zucotti Park.
I have been fortunate enough to be blessed with having some truly incredible teachers, especially this year. Yet, I find it simply amusing as I look back on the many political disagreements I have gotten into at school, especially because so many of my teachers seem to be, at the very least, liberal leaning. (Nothing surprising in a public New York high school.)
I am the type of student that always likes to show their best side in school, because my grade-obsessed self is just terrified of upsetting a teacher. In the end, they have the upper hand with the power of grades. Strangely, the only exception I do make to this is with politics. For some reason, with me, there are no rules when it comes to my conservative views. It would be generous to say that some of the things I have done in the past were just a little more than provocative. In eighth grade, during the final days of the 2008 election, I proudly dressed up in school as Sarah Palin on Halloween as I made sure to tell everyone what I really thought about then-Senator Barack Obama. In another year, I displayed my favorite Ronald Reagan shirt for all my classmates to see during a discussion on the necessity of certain socialist programs. And finally, I topped it all off this Halloween, as I roamed around school dressed as an Occupy Main Street Protestor, with a sign that boldly stated "I <3 TARP! #OccupyMainStreet!"
I really need to learn to my control my political views, because I simply will never win. And even sometimes when I am somehow able to control myself, I find that someone else has began the incendiary political discussion. Going as far back as the Bush-Gore election in 2000, when I was in kindergarten, it seems as if all my teachers have been happy to lecture on their liberal views. I guess the classroom really isn't an open forum for discussion. When it comes to politics, I think I need to just follow a policy of "Sit down and shut up." No matter how much Obamacare is praised, no matter how much the 2012 GOP contenders or Fox News is bashed, I really need to keep my mouth shut and go along with it. I always thought I would be able to carry through with my views, but now I know that there is no hope. How can I possibly continue to express my conservative political views in school while my teachers seem to just be getting more and more liberal over time? I can't, which is why I have given up. I guess I will just have to wait two more years until I go college, because university campuses are known for being oh so conservative.
My suggestion is to first abandon labels; examine ideas, not parties or relationships. Dare to be "different;" it's what made America what it is today. Vote your personal conscious, not party lines or stress from others. Have beliefs, and stick to them. We live in a world where there are few clear-cut lines to cross, a world full of ambiguities.
Don't be dragged into debates; no one is "right," if everybody's "wrong!"
Take a political issue.
Choose your side.
Now, write up a defense of the OTHER point of view, and the faults/weaknesses of the side you prefer.
It's one thing to have a set of beliefs about an issue.
It's another thing completely when you can argue BOTH sides of an issue, and THEN make your choice.
My advice to you would be to do your politics on your own time, read philosophy and history, keep up on current events, compare and contrast what you learn to your worldview, (because honestly, most 16 year olds get their political views from their parents rather than their own opinions and experience) find ways to defend your opinions if you find them to be true or change them if you don't, and you'll be more than ready for any debates you might encounter in college.
High school isn't a place to express yourself, it's just purgatory. Don't provoke the teachers or administration, don't impregnate anyone, and get that piece of paper. Try to have a good time.
I went through the same thing that you went through, also in NYC public schools, and then at university. There is no advice to give you which will free you from persecution, derision, and intolerance.
Most of the time, you will be able to hold true to the courage of your convictions. Other times, you may want to restrain yourself because your grades will suffer if you don't, and there's almost no way to convince someone that their sacred partisanship is based on opinion rather than fact.
If a teacher is willing to punish you with bad grades for not regurgitating her beliefs back to her . . . it's time to hold your nose and regurgitate. It'll be good practice for when you enter the adult world and perhaps find yourself, as I have, surrounded by union members around whom I cannot voice any of my true beliefs (I'm a management consultant on public works projects).
Living with conservative beliefs is not easy. It will not get much easier.
Know this: You are not alone.
I may disagree with terribly Corey but it is a shame that your voice can't be heard :P
I got into a discussion with a young man who said that that horrible free Medicare needed to be stopped. He had no idea that people on Medicare paid a monthly premium for their coverage and had copays and deductibles as well. It wasn't and isn't free. I also suggested that he talk with his grandparents. Needless to say his opinion changed.