Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

WHERE I STAND:

To expand our minds, we must break from our tribes

Editor’s note: About 1,000 students from high schools throughout Southern Nevada participated in the 62nd annual Sun Youth Forum on Nov. 29. The students were divided into groups to discuss a variety of topics. A representative was chosen from each group to write a column about the students’ findings. This essay addresses the issues covered by the Potpourri group.

Click to enlarge photo

Student representative Virginia Alonso, of Rancho High School, poses during the 62nd annual Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum at the Las Vegas Convention Center Thursday Nov. 29, 2018.

I am mostly left leaning, I tell them, with some conservative ideals. And, I add, I am honored to be speaking with them here at the Sun Youth Forum.

We discuss many things: the moral duality of kneeling during an anthem that serves as a tribute to veterans and whether doing so is disrespectful; the difficulties homosexual couples face when trying to put together a family; and the sectarian-party culture of modern America.

My opinions are transparent: Whether kneeling during the national anthem is disrespectful is irrelevant because offense is subjective. I try not to argue on behalf of subjective causes but on behalf of fact. Case in point: People have the right to civil disobedience, and stripping individuals of that right compromises freedom of speech. Arguing on the basis of a concept as personally defined and loose as “respect” creates a flimsy platform debate.

And, of course, if a gay couple can provide a loving and stable home for a child who otherwise would not be exposed to a lifestyle of that caliber, then by all means, they reserve the right to adopt.

We discuss these topics because they elicit the most passionate feelings from both ends of the political spectrum. I feel confident when I manage to sway some individuals, or finely rebut an opposing argument. I feel comfortable discussing these topics.

However, I have not dedicated much thought to the concerning political divide occuring in America — until now.

Our final conversation regards tribalism and what to do about it. We discuss the potential of introducing more political parties, or monitoring biased news stations, but these options seem time-consuming and inefficient. It occurs to me that the real solution is this: exposure to others who do not share your beliefs.

Today, people often vote for parties, not representatives, and as time progresses, division multiplies. Refusal to venture beyond gated political suburbs halts thought. Individuals must take it into their own hands to communicate.

People chose to live in partisan conditions to be comfortable. But living under the pretense of comfort is the greatest disservice. Life promises only discomfort.

This is the beauty of the Sun Youth Forum. Once an intellectually honest debate has begun, shallow thinkers no longer yield the right to sit comfortably in their own little corners. Ideas rise as a result of an ever-broadening conversation, thought deepens and opponents compromise.

When we allow ourselves to be exposed to other ideas, our minds are expanded, and we have a more firm grasp on our own logical fallacies.

The right-wing to my left, and the left-wing adjacent to him do not agree on most things, but before leaving the event, we all exchange information. I have yet to call either of them, but I imagine we will have much to talk about.

Virginia Alonso is a senior at Rancho High School.