In the closing statement of Head of School Raynard Kington’s email sent to the Andover community on September 23, 2024 outlining the new Blue Book policies “Civil Discourse” and “Political Activity,” he expressed excitement for “a year filled with many lively discussions and debates.” Despite this sentiment, the enclosed content centers primarily on what students can not do when engaging in discussion or political discourse on campus, such as skipping class, interfering with Academy programming, or inhibiting the freedom of movement of community members on campus. Noticeably, these policies seem to include little information on future initiatives or actionable steps for students to foster more civil discourse on campus. Amid major political conflicts, university campus protests, and hyper-polarization of the political climate, having a clear policy on political demonstration and expression as a guiding document is crucial. While the long string of can nots emphasized in these new policies is useful for students to know and for the administration to reference in the event of extreme circumstances, its primary emphasis on what is not allowed detracts from the email’s stated hope of cultivating a more effective and open environment for discussing politics and global issues on campus. Rather than being an affirmative encouragement that outlines direct ways students can approach engaging in said discussion and debates, the list of restrictions embodies a punitive connotation that serves to further push students away from easily having these crucial conversations.
Informed, productive debates have the prerequisites of adequate education and awareness in discussion etiquette. While Andover has made efforts towards providing students with these essential learning opportunities in the past, such as Frank Tipton’s “Israel-Palestine 101” lecture on December 4, 2023, they are few and far between, and not nearly enough. If students on campus wish to engage thoughtfully and respectfully with complex issues, more knowledge is needed to lay a factual foundation of the issues at hand. Furthermore, according to the 2024 State of the Academy, 89.7% of respondents believe that Andover has a political leaning to the left. On a campus with such a strong perceived political affiliation and given America’s current political climate that has become more hostile and personally-targeted than ever, we must be actively taught, whether formally or informally, how to properly partake in a discourse. There are important distinctions, such as treating every opinion equally – whether it seems to be “commonly shared” among campus members or not – and separating the person from the belief, that we must know and recognize to have productive conversations. It is only with training and experience that we will be able to minimize instances of unintentionally hurting or ostracizing our discussion partners and instead facilitate effective debates that broaden our perspectives and expose us to diverse viewpoints in a positive way.
Moreover, in a student body that exhibits such a political leaning, it is inevitable that some expressed opinions will be controversial and unpopular. However, as long as these instances fall within the guidelines outlined in the new Blue Book policies, we should approach them with an open mind. We shouldn’t view controversy as proof that open and fair discussion cannot exist; we should instead view these moments as opportunities for iterative improvement. Do not bite your tongue until we have reached a perfect, open environment. The open and ideologically diverse community we seek isn’t achievable overnight, and our journey there will be uncomfortable. Be willing to share your opinions, even if glares may come your way. With each shared opinion, the next comes easier.
Finally, let’s remember. These guidelines are made with the intention of creating a safe space for discussion. They are the means to achieving an environment of empathy, respect, and understanding. When Brian Gittens ’89 skipped classes to sit on the steps of Samuel Phillips Hall and play Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech on repeat, that was his means of protesting for what he believed in. That was his way of pushing for what, in his eyes, was right and just. That is the reason why we have MLK Day On. The very purpose of “Civil Discourse” and “Political Activity” is to spur on the change that we want to see on this campus. Be civil, but be unafraid. Let the existence of rules and limitations and endless may nots not be an instillation of fear, but instead a reminder instead of what is possible, what we have the power to begin.
