Liberals... How many of you actually came to your liberal politics through indoctrination at college or?

Question

university?

I keep hearing that Universities are terrible hotbeds of liberal indoctrination. My liberal politics came from readings that I did on my own far away from the classroom. So I'm curious. Fellow liberals, were you "indocrinated" because of so-called "scheming evil liberal professors?"

Answer 1

Liberalism is an ideological foundation which stretches back hundreds of years, but has been known more recently as the basis from which the Founding Fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and also provided the basis for the French Revolution of about the same time.

The idea that modern college professors are indoctrinating students to be liberal is a disgustingly inaccurate generalization that has no basis in rational thought. Each professor has the specific task of indoctrinating his students on the subject matter to which he (or she) has dedicated most of their life. They are supposed to do this, and they are supposed to have a liberal bias, because academia seeks to rewrite the history/science books as they are now...that's the whole point! Liberalism is just a description, at this point, of the process of change. Conservatism is the opposite, it is meant to describe those that seek to conserve what already exists.

The sad part is that neither of the descriptors are used in the proper context when it comes to American political discourse, which is of course where that bogus idea of the question comes in the first place, but we have to deal with nonetheless...hope this helps...

Answer 2

Though I am oft refered to as a liberal, I have no political affiliation, as I have yet to find a party that mirrors all my views and convictions.

My political views were set long before I entered college, and formed through my own research, reading, experience, moral convictions, and gut feelings of right and wrong.

If anything, the professors at my college were staunch conservatives, and some not so shy to admit to their intolerant, and in one case, misogynist opinions.

In the 3 years I attended, I could count on 2 fingers the number of "liberal" college professors I had,... both in the art department, and definitely not "evil" and bent on "scheming" to "indoctrinate" thier charges.

Answer 3

Not me. I was not political at all when I graduated from college. What got me on the road to liberalism and being politically active was a vacation I took 7 years after I graduated. I went to Peru and saw the Amazon and its amazing wildlife. Camping in the jungle for two weeks blew me away, changed me and perspective on the world. Afterwards, I started becoming aware of environmental issues, and only then did I even start to learn that republicans are generally anti-environmental. At first i voted liberal just for that one issue, but soon learned that the liberals had the right ideas about all the other issues.

Answer 4

I honestly don't know how I became a liberal. I just turned 18 and I just started going to college. I think I've always been a liberal by heart because I really care about other people, more than I care about myself, and I always questioned authority. I'm not completely liberal. I know too much about the economy to be completely liberal, but I was raised in a family that taught me to care, so I do. It's just natural for me I guess.

I also think that my knowledge of history taught me to question authority. There are just so many things governments have done in the past that hurt people in some ways because people believed in their governments. I'm not saying governments are always wrong and I love the U.S., at least the people and what we're suppose to stand for, but I think it's important to always question authority or we'll get screwed over.

Answer 5

I had an english professor who pointed out that we live in an elitist society and not a true democracy. It took me a few years to finally confirm that he was right. I'm considered liberal on some issues and conservatve on others so I guess those evil liberal professors failed. If thinking for yourself makes you a liberal, then I may have to reconsider my status as an indepenent. =)

Answer 6

I've been a feminist since I was 7 yrs old when I started saving money for college because I didn't want anything to prevent me from going -- least of all me being a "girl." Girls learn early on about sexism, and the smart ones relate that to all forms of injustice. I had a poster of Malcolm X when I was in high school because he represented the protest against inequality in which I believed.

College professors taught me how to articulate my commitment to equality for all, but they certainly didn't start it.

Answer 7

If that were the case there would be NO conservatives left after the last 40 years of so called liberal University's

Answer 8

Negative. I am basically a moderate that has been driven further to the left, mostly due to my own observations and the insane, ignorant, degrading, fictitious, myopic ranting and raving of the neo-cons and the religious right. I arrived here because I feel it is a better alternative to the conservatives greedy and selfish views and actions.

Answer 9

Logic, my friend.

It is simply illogical and quite hypocritical to live the "traditional conservative" lifestyle. Adhereing to a stringent set of outdated principles and remaining steadfastly stubborn in the face of a constantly-changing world is utterly pointless. Liberalism, political as well as economical, allows for flexibility when living in a naturally chaotic environment.

Answer 10

I developed my democratic views based on my own experiences, readings and observations. I don't think anyone can seriously blame it on universities or alledged liberal professors, because everyone has the ability to think for themselves and make up their own minds when it comes to political views. Well, you would hope so, anyways :)