Are We Free At Exeter?

How free are we at Exeter? More specifically, how free are we to have our own ideas at Exeter?Teachers have the freedom to encourage us to have our own opinions towards the books they assign or the questions or assignments they bring up in class. Furthermore, many people at Exeter share opinions, so, if yours differs, you get shut down pretty darn quickly.In my history course about Greek history, for example, we just finished The Odyssey, and I, for one, absolutely despise Odysseus. He’s reproachable.Many people in my class, however, look up to him and think that he had no choice in his actions because the gods ordered him around. When I tried to bring up a point about something I didn’t like about Odysseus, the point was derailed in about five seconds and completely ignored.Even after only having been at Exeter for a little while, I’ve noticed how teachers poke and prod at some conversations to get the desired result.In subjects like math and science, it’s pretty hard to have two opinions (I’m pretty that sure two plus two is always four and that every living organism is made of cells), but in English and history, opinions are altered a lot. Teachers ask specific questions about reading and can easily change the course of the conversation if they don’t like it.Intellectual freedom is an idea everyone at Exeter values and boasts about, but wonders secretly if they really have. I’m not saying you can’t have your opinions, but in this community you can’t always share them. Of course, there are clubs, like Dem. Club, Fem. Club and many others where sharing your opinion is the only idea.But what if your ideas don’t match with those of the club’s? The first response would be to join a different one or to maybe start one. But for that, you need a faculty advisor, which brings us back to the problem of teachers prodding at discussions.The truth is that the only intellectual freedom that exists in Exeter is in the safety of your own mind and maybe, just maybe, The Exonian, in the Op-Ed section, if the editors like what you have to say.I can see no true way to change this, at least in the four years that I’ll be here, but I can start with this: think your own thoughts.Intellectual freedom is a goal everyone at Exeter has to work towards to reach, and I implore you to do your part.Obviously, we can’t change what the teacher assign, but we can push ourselves to share our opinions, even if most people on campus disagree with us.Take that leap and share your opinion.