Dissenting at Hampshire: do you agree?

Have you ever held an opinion at Hampshire and felt that you could not express it? You would be ridiculed for having such a different opinion. You are sure however, that if you went into the real world, it would not be any more outlandish than others. You are not alone.
It turns out that a number of students here have felt at one time or another that their opinions, no matter how banal, could not be given because they did not agree with the majority voice. This is particularly true with issues on which it seems the whole campus agrees with one view. Here is the problem with that idea: it is anti-Hampshire. Right on the Hampshire website, under academic philosophy, it says, “Students learn to be producers and creators of knowledge, rather than passive consumers of information.” Basically what this is saying is that, generally, Hampshire students are not sheep.
This means that you do your own research, create your knowledge, and make your own opinion. Not only these, but non satis scire. It is not enough to know. Once you know, you have to do something about it. In particular, if your opinion is against the majority, speak out! Let people know what you think so that they can make their own opinions and let the cycle repeat ad infinitum. This is the greatest favor you can do for your fellow students. They are here, like you, to learn. Teach them, if you know. But when you are learning, do not accept anything blindly.
Sarah Danson, a third-year student here, expressed her thoughts about dissenting at Hampshire. She states, “I'm moderate here, but when I go out into the real world, I am so far left.” She feels that the minority voices are not usually vocal. She has had dissenting opinions here on a number of occasions, but could only talk about them with here friends, and in private conversation. Usually, the response of friends in this private discourse is rational. Why then are dissenters often shot-down in public? It's hard to know.
Alex Cachinero-Gorman disagrees. He does not think that this dichotomy exists. He thinks that people here are free to give their own opinions, no risk of being “shot-down.” For those of you who think this way, be respectful of others. Hear them out. They might be able to sway your opinions.
Here is the thing, though. If there are so many people who feel that they can not express their opinions, there may also be many people who agree with them. A minority of one sucks, but when you start to have people agreeing with you, even if it is just one more, you can feel much more comfortable expressing yourself. The problem is that you can not know whether others agree unless you go out on a limb and express your opinions. It can be terrifying.
You may have guessed that this piece is actually a front for writing about Gaza. This is true, but it applies in all cases. I am going to go out on a limb and let you know what I think. I think this recent conflict in Gaza was just what Hamas wanted. They poked Israel in the ribs for a very long time by shooting rockets at her. Each time did not do much damage, but each time added up. It then comes as no surprise when Israel finally retaliates and does so with “disproportionate response.” This is like “I'm not touching you,” said over and over again to your older sibling. When he or she punches you, you yell for mommy. The same is true in this case, except that Hamas wanted the world community to catch Israel in the act. The problem here is that Israel does not care about world opinion very much. Not only did Israel retaliate, but polls indicate that around 80% of Israelis approved of the conflict. To me their frustration is understandable.
Before you call me cold and heartless, know that I do feel for the Palestinians. The situation is all around a downer. But I do not think that one side is right and the other wrong. I know that there have been faults on both sides. I just wish that people at Hampshire would be more willing to discuss the multi-facets of any given issue. Speak up, speak out.

Resources for further information:
www.warincontext.org
www.fair.org