“We should build the wall,” suggests a classmate.
The rest of the class falls silent. We’re having a class debate on race in politics, and I freeze, thinking: How should I respond? I’m at a loss for words, choosing instead to exchange a nervous glance with a friend. From the corner of my eye, I see others do the same.
My high school is a liberal place. Colorful “We Love Dreamers” signs are proudly taped on classroom windows. The Gay-Straight Alliance club members offer cupcakes and unicorn onesies on Club Advertising Day.
It’s the most racially diverse school in the district, and as an Asian-American, never have I felt out of place because of my race.
The same holds true for my hometown, which is located right next to San Francisco, a city famous for its Pride Week and sanctuary-city status. So while this classmate’s statement might be considered mundane in large swaths of America, it clashes with the views of the majority at my school.
The brrriiingggg!! of the bell pierces the awkward silence. Hands snatch backpacks, feet scramble out the door. Instantly, whispers bounce off the hallway. I catch a few phrases: “Trump supporter,” “Nasty,” “I’ll never speak to him again.”
It was then that I realized something. For a school that boasts an open-minded and free-thinking attitude, we’re actually the opposite. While students embrace diversity, we’ve become so focused on supporting certain beliefs that we’ve forgotten the value of another kind of diversity: a diversity of opinion.
Such diversity comes from free speech. And free speech is important, even — or, perhaps, especially — in high school, because it makes people uncomfortable. Discomfort sparks discussion and promotes an acceptance of the existence of different opinions.
Even in this single incident, a change occurred. There was discomfort in the hallway, but I noticed it was also the first time people continued a debate after class was over. In fact, this single statement led to weeks of discussion on race and the right degree of government involvement in race-related issues.
Free speech also promotes acceptance. In an environment where certain beliefs dominated, I was in shock when confronted by a different opinion during the class debate. It made me realize there are always multiple sides to a topic, and that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. It is in debating issues that we learn the most, not just about the topic at hand but about ourselves.
Avoiding topics in school oversensitizes people. I’m thankful my teacher didn’t ignore a subject that’s considered sensitive by many people today. I’d been so used to avoiding this topic in previous government and history classes that this debate felt like a delicate topic, which is why I froze upon hearing a different opinion.
The same applies to other subjects like literature. My literature teacher proposed Tony Kushner’s “Angels in America” to the school district, only to have it rejected because it displayed certain cultures in a negative light. Protecting students in the classroom makes them less prepared for the prejudice they might experience in the real world. These difficult topics should be discussed, not avoided, so students know how to act and how to change.
I have promoted free speech in high school. I help bring a diversity of opinions to clubs I lead, like robotics. I’ve opened up a feedback forum for people to voice their opinions on how the leadership team can improve. I’ve also convinced the rest of the leadership team to open up parts of leadership meetings to all students so that they can voice their opinions.
Some see education as merely academic. It’s more than that. The only way to raise well-educated and well-mannered students is by appreciating the beauty in those uncomfortable debate sessions, those brave and brilliant displays of free speech.
Shaina Chen is a winner of the Think For Yourself college scholarship sponsored by Let Grow, a nonpartisan group promoting childhood independence and resilience.