As the flowers bloomed and the weather got warmer, as the sun drew students out to throw frisbees and footballs around, an ugly, aggressive fight loomed over campus. For the past month or so we have been divided on issues central to our lives here at Swarthmore. We have debated over the existence of Greek life and all that entails (racism, homophobia, sexual assault and rape), and the invitation of a conservative to this year's graduation (one who may have done more harm than good for the world). And those of us who were on the offensive — those of us who were pushing to change the status quo — have been made to feel like we did something wrong. How could we ever upset the campus? How could we question institutions and systems that "work so well"? How could we chalk such grave and "unfounded" accusations on the paths of our beautiful campus for tour groups to see? How could we "ruin" the spring semester of seniors who up until this moment have never had to question their role here? How could we do it?
Last night, I received an email from a senior on campus inviting me to an event — "Fuck bigotry, harassment and rhetorical bullshit. Celebrate solidarity." After weeks of questioning my role in this place — after weeks of questioning whether I really was alone in all of this — this informal conversation between us "shit-starters" made me realize why I go to this school. It made me realize what kind of people I want to associate myself with, what kind of things I want to do, what I want to change, and who I want to be as I move forward during my time here.
Most of all, though, it made me realize that I should never allow people to make me feel bad for wanting to change things that are so very clearly wrong.
Amidst criticism that we're ruining Swarthmore, I am now more sure than ever that we're doing the furthest thing from that.
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