Can't we just move forward?

During the past two weeks, much has been made of the display at the crops house and the subsequent administration reaction. Several departments have filled the Mustang Daily with letters to the editor. Administration and our Associated Students Inc. president have added to the fray with numerous e-mails about their response to the situation. Numerous campus groups have hosted forums or protests. While I understand the varying reactions, I wonder if we can’t just move on already.

As a student in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences, I, like many of my peers, laid low at the release of the news. We were branded as guilty of intolerance by academic association alone; regardless of cultural background, social associations or acceptance of others. I want to make it very clear that I do not condone the reported displays. I do not want people to think I am defending the actions because I am not. However, as a campus community, we might have gone too far in our condemnation of the incident.

From a purely philosophical point of view, we should embrace this event. While it does not represent what we believe, it contributes to the marketplace of ideas. It shows us a differing point of view and develops discussion, hopefully a positive one. However, there becomes a point where the reaction becomes the aggressor; where those involved are branded in a certain light, and practically chased off campus by an angry mob. Where, if you don’t take the time to write a letter to the editor, pay for an advertisement, or attend a forum, you must not support the tolerance movement; then you too must be a racist, homophobe, and/or bigot.

I ask all of you to think what actions are too much? Individually we all should strive to be more tolerant and culturally diverse. But can Cal Poly mandate change through new classes or other policies? For that matter, should Cal Poly try to mandate change?

On Monday, Angela Kramer explained in her column the actions that she and ASI are taking. Some of the things she mentioned are the possible development of an ombudsmen office and an increased USCP focus. Will these actions actually change anything? Or are they just window dressing to appease those who feel hurt from this situation?

Kramer also contends that we need to “forego business-as-usual and re-establish Cal Poly as a safe space.” I ask you to think, did this incident really make Cal Poly an unsafe place? The Confederate flag was there long before the New Times reported it. Does one news report suddenly change the safety of an entire campus?

Cal Poly is not an intolerant university. The students have apologized and moved out of the house. What more do we want from them? Are people not going to be happy until these students have been expelled or jailed? Or can we as rational adults agree that this incident was wrong, does not represent the values of Cal Poly, and just move on?

This situation shows us that freedom of speech isn’t free. There are consequences for our actions, and the former members of the crops house have paid the price in terms of their reputation and their living conditions. Tolerance is not a bandwagon we should join on a whim for fear of being branded that which we are not, but instead is an opportunity for discussion. However, discussion has taken place. Opinions have been aired. Nothing more really needs to be done in response to six students who had a display at the crops house which was dumb, ignorant and doesn’t represent the Cal Poly community.

As conservatives, we are often branded as racist, bigots or homophobes. While there have been conservatives who have been these things, there are also liberals who are racist, bigots or homophobes. Countless times I have been called a baby killer, warmonger, racist and a few sexual slurs as well. All of these are false and illustrate a bigger problem with society today, which is how we perceive those around us. We need to make the same consideration for political affiliations, as we should do with races, creeds, and orientations: look at the content of a person’s character.

Ian Nachreiner is an agricultural science senior and a Mustang Daily Columnist.