Last Wednesday, my boss Cathy became one of the bravest people I know. She did something so outrageous, so utterly profound that I had to write in and make an example of her. So what was this miraculous performance? Cathy wore a Coleman button to work.

It's no surprise that here at Macalester, we don't like Republicans. In fact, we don't want anything to do with them. The only evil we know, and I am as guilty of thinking this as the rest of you, comes with those who label themselves "conservative." But this also makes me conspirator to killing democracy. I try to convince myself that I'm not as evil as those "right wingers," but I can't hide what I am: an activist with Planned Parenthood and a supporter of legislation for gay and lesbian rights. I also squelch any conservative viewpoints from ever emerging on campus, shake my head in disappointment at those who identify as Republican, and accuse those "traditionalists" of being close minded and socially cut off from the real world.

So when I see a "Coleman" button, my first reaction is to turn away and roll my eyes in disgust. Ironically, I have suddenly become the close-minded by refusing to acknowledge my "enemy" has any merit in her beliefs. The truth is that democracy was formed so that we could freely hold conflicting opinions and make them heard in our government. But do we encourage that here? Would we fairly recognize a Business Majors for Bush group or a Ronald Reagan Admirers club at Macalester to support this melting pot of ideas? The answer is no, and attempting to say otherwise is laughable. I'm not trying to be a traitor to my democratic roots or my liberal ideologies, but what's the point of having my political opinions if there isn't anyone there who disagrees?

As Cathy went back to her desk I reluctantly told her, "Ya know, it's cool that you wore that button today." Although the words makes my stomach turn and my brain say "we're all doomed because of voters like her," I needed to tell her that because she's one of the brave souls willing to fight for a very unpopular cause.