Hey everyone. My name’s Chase. You probably know me, but if you don’t, I’m a Senior here. I run cross country and track; I’m really into food, reading, and politics; and for the past 11.78 months, I’ve been co-editor of The Record’s Opinions Section.

I’m a pretty far-left-leaning individual. Most who know me know that much. When I first became engaged with Democratic and leftist politics, there was a period of time when I subscribed to the popular notion of ideological isolation – I found it unthinkable that I would discuss politics amiably, much less collaborate, with anyone who didn’t share my views. Everyone to my right became the “radical right”; everyone to my left became the “Communist threat.” And this was because I believed, or was led to believe, that an ideological gap was always accompanied by a moral gap.

But, then, two things happened. First, I joined The Record as a board member. And second, I worked for a Democratic political campaign. My perspective shifted. In working for The Record, editing people’s opinions, defending those opinions (no matter their ideological origin), and trying my best to present our readership with a convincing argument, I became enamored with encouraging, rather than dominating, public dialogue. I realized how out of touch is the popular liberal notion that every conservative opinion is morally flawed.

Last summer, I worked as a field organizer for a phenomenal Democratic political campaign. Speaking with conservative voters about why they advocate for, say, a decrease in spending for social programs (a viewpoint with which I will always disagree), I finally understood that the one true vice in politics is the dehumanization of your ideological opponent.

It is true that you are not required to be agreeable or polite with someone who argues against your right to exist – your civil liberties, identity, and personhood should never be an object of political debate. But when a disagreement isn’t regarding those fundamental matters of humanity, you absolutely should seek to empathize and understand opponents. That’s how progress occurs.

Debate loudy, disagree passionately, but never forfeit the common ground of human connection for a temporary sense of moral superiority. Thanks for reading.