Reader Responses to Crossing the Political Divide

I’m glad Brown students seek ideologically diverse ideas. Culture wars are great!

A country that is truly free

Has citizens who disagree.

There isn’t any culture war

In Orwell’s 1984.

There are some issues that can be discussed without rancor, but one cannot: Trump supporters must agree that their president is racist. It is heartbreaking to me that this is not brought up enough; it is the main stumbling block for many. Those of us who recognize it cannot believe that others cannot.

I’m pleased Brown professors and students want a politically balanced spectrum—four years of exposure to one-sided ideas does not advance critical thinking, or the ability to find common ground. I am active with the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute, which promotes civility in political discourse. The first woman appointed to the Supreme Court, she brought differing viewpoints together.

I applaud Greer Brigham ’20 for forming SPEAK to “bring more ideologically diverse ideas to campus.” But establishing a goal of 30 percent conservative speakers seems far short–why not 50 percent?

Congratulations to Greer Brigham ’20 for examining why no one he knew foresaw Donald Trump’s election victory (“Crossing the Political Divide,” September/October). Out of 237 invited speakers in 2017, 94.5 percent left-leaning is over the top. No wonder Greer was clueless. I wonder: Who invites the speakers?