Why does Washington University have a student newspaper? Why does it have an editorial page? Why should you care? Well, you may not realize it, but someone paid for you to be able to read these words right now. I’d like to think they are getting their money’s worth.
Student Life is, of course, an adjunct to Washington University. Washington University’s ultimate goal is the pursuit of Truth. This is manifest in its motto: “Per Veritatem Vis” (lit. “Strength through Truth”). Part of the university’s mission is accomplished in our excellent classrooms and research facilities. The lion’s share of the rest is accomplished by promoting discussion. Whether you prefer a wishy-washy word like “dialogue” or “discourse,” or a full-blown, steam-coming-out-of-your-ears “argument”, search for the Truth requires conflict. It requires that ideas be presented, tested, rebutted, and refuted or validated as necessary.
The editorial pages of Student Life are just one part of the jigsaw puzzle that is debate on this campus. At any given moment there is a discussion raging in some classroom in this university. There are dozens of other publications on this campus, representing nearly every conceivable point of view or academic interest. The co-curricular activities of this school perform their function by advocating their point of view (e.g. the Conservative Leadership Association, the V-Day Initiative), advocating discussion as its own good (e.g. the Strong Brew series, the Debate Team), or performing other functions to diverse to list here.
So why do we need one centralized editorial page? There are a few reasons. The first is to dodge simple physical constraints. The room that Ward Connerly delivered his speech in last year could seat around 200 at maximum. The other 7,800 or so individuals on campus heard about the event, and the surrounding controversies, in this newspaper. Student Life also highlights the issues that are specific to the Washington University community (such as the Great Girl Scout Cookie Caper). Lastly, Student Lifepresents material in a relatively balanced fashion. This isn’t to say that there isn’t a place for ideologues in this system; far from it. However, no one should feel forced to write only to a narrow, sympathetic audience because they believe their ideas wouldn’t be sufficiently mainstream.
Which leads me to the real purpose of this editorial: If you read this page at all last year, the overarching message that was pounded on twice weekly was “YOU SHOULD BE INVOLVED!” Allow me to beat that drum one more time. If you have a view to advocate, a point to raise, or just some steam to vent-why not write it here? We’ll take anyone, regardless of point of view or formal journalistic ability. I think the fact that I’m published here should be ample evidence of that. The only requirement is that you support your argument (and if you don’t do so, rest assured that someone on this campus is waiting to tear it to shreds).
On a side note, this year I’ve been promoted from Ultra-rightist Reactionary Conservative to Student LifeColumnist. This means that you can expect to be hearing more from me on a more regular basis, probably once every two weeks. Stay tuned for “31 Flavors of Oppression,” about the regrettable tendency of academics to find problems where there are none, and miss solutions that are right in front of their collective face. Heated rebuttals to follow.
To contact Patrick McKenzie, email him at [email protected].