Acorn

Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Opinions

Media Credit: Jessica Glickman

They walk the same paths as you, sit in the same chairs as you and eat the same Commons food that you do. They are Republicans. At a time in our country when Republicans aren't respected or liked much because of a certain Bush in office who's mismanaged a war, it is easy to lump all Republicans under one umbrella. But why? Believe it or not, Republicans are not cookie-cutter versions of each other. They aren't all aged, white Protestant males with graying hair. Not all Republicans are the same.

Some might be black and against affirmative action, while others might be Latino and for it. Yes, it sounds cheesy, but Republicans come in all shapes, sizes and colors. So it's unfortunate and pathetic when one hears, "Oh, so you're one of those!" as a common response from a liberal after learning your political affiliation. What does "one of those" really mean? It surely doesn't sound tolerant or accepting. I'm not the one making U.S. policy, and I might not have even voted for the current president. Why blame me? As a liberal, aren't you supposed to be progressive in your thinking, and not dependent on stereotypes?

Belonging to a party does not mean you agree with that party on every single issue, and not many folks realize that. Clearly, there are Republicans who are socially conservative, hold strong pro-life views and anti-gay marriage stances and support prayer in school. But there are also those who are socially liberal-and Republican. Although rare, pro-choice, pro-gay rights and possibly log-cabin Republicans do exist. There are even Republicans who don't give a hoot about the social issues, and base their vote strictly on fiscal policy. These individuals might be sons of doctors or business moguls, or sons of mechanics or other blue-collar jobs. Some Republicans want lower taxes all across the board, while other target those tax cuts toward certain classes. There are even Republicans who raise taxes to fund social welfare programs. Yes, fund programs that help the poor-not screw them over! So the next time someone tells you he is Republican, don't just assume you know all is stances. They might be against the war just as much as you are.

Especially for students, it is not easy to publicly come out and tell others your political affiliation, because you are immediately placed in a preconceived box. The second you announce that you're conservative, people assume you wear preppy clothes, own a red tie, comb your hair to the side and walk upright and posh. They assume that conservatives only listen to Bach and Beethoven concertos, Christian gospel music and Gregorian chants on their iPods-on a normal basis. Yes, those chants are a requirement for Republicans, just as much as listening to bubblegum pop is necessary for liberals.

There is no rule that says that a Republican can't be a pro-life Latino punk rocker with a labret who attends church services regularly. Or a preppy black female who listens to Eminem or Snow Patrol while watching Fox News and reading the latest installment from Anne Coulter.The point is that stereotypes distort reality and force people into molded personalities like the stoic conservative Christian who always prays, the rich posh Republican who drives a Porsche, the tomboyish liberal feminist who only talks about gender or the poor welfare kid awaiting his next government hand-out.

Although they might be true at times and you might belong to one yourself, there is no reason why that a conservative can't be a middle-class girly feminist with a pro-life standpoint.

Sadly, most folks still hold true the words Winston Churchill uttered during World War II, "If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart-if you're not a conservative at 40, you have no brain."

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