The Truth About College Republicans

THE RIGHT ANGLE: The Truth About College Republicans - Opinions

All of your life, you've been taught to never judge a book by its cover. And yet, you do it everyday without even thinking about it. Maybe you judge people by their physical appearance, maybe by their clothing, or maybe by things you've heard about them. Regardless of why you judge them, it's wrong, and you know it. Why then, do you continue to let hearsay dictate how you view certain groups around campus?

Today, I am going to introduce you to the UNCG College Republicans. I am well aware of the things they say about us, and so are most of you. The groups and individuals on campus that differ from us ideologically would have you believe that we are racist, sexist, and homophobic. I suppose these rumors are to be expected, but I have a suspicion that there are those of you who are capable of thinking for yourselves, and that is who I am speaking to right now.

According to our wonderful critics, the College Republicans are not interested in doing anything that is not controversial. They say we exist solely to cause trouble. These people have never bothered to listen to our side of an issue; they simply go by what they've heard and what they want to believe.

Last Wednesday, I attended a meeting of the College Republicans. If I were to believe everything I had heard about the group, I would have expected to do nothing all night but discuss how we could annoy the rest of the campus. But perhaps you'd be shocked to learn that we don't want to do that. During our hour long meeting, we discussed many things - food drives, community service, trips to Washington DC, fun group events - and yet, not once did I hear someone say, "Hey everyone, what are some fun, creative ways we can make the liberals on campus hate us even more?

I know for a fact that some people have avoided associating with the College Republicans because of our image around campus. I find it very unfortunate that so many of you blindly believe these rumors without even bothering to hear our side. Last year's Morals Week was not meant to promote bigotry, regardless of what you might have heard. It was actually meant to promote equality; had you opened your mind and looked at it from a different point of view for once, this would have been obvious.

Stop letting other people dictate your beliefs. Drop in on a College Republican meeting sometime and decide for yourself. I know from some of the emails I've received recently that there are more conservatives on UNCG's campus than one might think. It would be wonderful if their voice was louder on this campus.

Fellow conservatives, here is your opportunity to have fun with a group of people who share your views. This is also your chance to make a difference. Right now we are working hard to build our group up so that we can do great things for our community.

We welcome people of all backgrounds and belief. We may not all be "gun nuts", "Jesus freaks", or "rednecks" like you've heard, but we do welcome all kinds. Find out what we are REALLY all about. Stop by and join us on Wednesday nights at 7 in the Joyner Room of the EUC.