In 2014,

The


Huffington Post

published an article titled, “15 Important Truths About Having an Opinion.” As the Opinion Editors for

The Spectator,

we feel especially affected by the lessons espoused by the

Post

in this piece and feel it is important to hold true to these tenets in our positions of determining content for the section.

Two of the article’s points specifically stood out to us: “Dismissing someone else’s opinion does not make yours stronger or more valid,” and “Opinions have a tendency to be bold, to stir pots, and to upset people — that’s when you know you’re onto something.” These ideals guided us throughout the year as we selected content from our staff writers, contributing writers, and wrote articles ourselves.

This semester was filled with different important conversations, and we are pleased to say that many of them were written about in the Opinion section of

The Spectator.

We have covered topics ranging from Hallmark holidays to Pub Power to Islamaphobia, and virtually everything in between. The mental and physical health of students was especially prevalent on pages five and six as the issue’s relavence continues to grow on campus. We discussed Seasonal Affective Disorder, sexual misconduct, and various facets of mental health. Students wrote about the use of Adderall, spoke to concerns they have about student culture on Class & Charter day, and the social implications of Greek life on Hamilton’s campus.

In each article published, we kept the ideals of

Huffington Post

’s “truths” in mind. The Opinion section has been able to speak on topics of campus life, mental health, and other matters in a way that not only raises awareness but sparks conversations among students and with Hamilton’s administration. Of particular salience was an article on the difference between political statement and actual activism as well as an article discussing the College’s approach to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.

Though controversy and dissent is not our goal, it is a necessary byproduct of well-written opinion pieces. The article that produced the most controversy, not just from the Opinion section but in general, for

The Spectator

in this academic year was the article I, Gavin, wrote about the Town Hall. Responses were many and varied, ranging from private emails of support to public declarations of outrage. These expressions, each and every one, were welcome and important. If we as a community are unable to have difficult conversations and challenge each other then we run the risk of losing the progress and growth that comes from stimulating discourse. It was troubling that people who agreed with the Town Hall article did not feel able to vocalize their opinions for fear of reprisal. We must not allow ourselves to have a zeitgeist that is homogenized. Different voices are important and imperative to intellectual growth. We must remember that it is important to not take these opinions of others personally, but respond to them with your own — remembering and understanding that dismissing someonee else’s opinion does not make yours more valid.

If we as a campus have a proclivity to attack an individual and their character rather than be willing to make an educated and thoughtful response, then we create a culture of groupthink. Controversial issues almost always result in responses from the public both in written and spoken form. It is our belief that the Opinion section of

The Spectator

is a vital component of the important conversations that happen on this campus. During the PUB POWER movement, students were able to publish their viewpoints through a conduit that is widely read and respected, and the conversations that were generated in the responses to these articles allowed for a better understanding of both sides of the issue.

For as long as we are at the mantle of the Opinion section, we will do our best to continue inciting the difficult but necessary conversations that we as a community need to have. We firmly believe that one of the great strengths of

The Spectator

is our section, and we take the accompanying responsibility seriously.

We would like to issue a heartfelt thank you to our staff writers. Thank you also to those of you who only published an article or two; often, these articles came during times of important conversation on campus and your voices were heard and appreciated. We also say to those who wish to write for out section on any opinion you may hold, to reach out next semester and share your mind in an open a public platform. Help lead campus into more important conversations.

We look forward to the fall and promise to continue generating respectful and imperative discourse.