William Rampe '24, Opinion Editor
The author's first opinion piece examines the Biden administration's implementation of tariffs on foreign goods.Photo courtesy of Spectator
As my tenure as opinion editor comes to a close, I've taken some time to reflect on my experience writing opinion pieces for The Spectator and the value I've gained from this work. Like many of you, I came to Hamilton with many ideas about politics and culture, but little knowledge of the facts and history related to these topics. Of course, taking classes in both of these subjects has improved my knowledge and writing ability on these topics, but these essays usually have little to do with my actual thoughts on the topics and It had much more to do with what I expected the teacher to want. listen. Many of my colleagues are against this strategy, but in an attempt to change the mind of a professor who has spent years researching this subject at the highest levels, he gave me no ethical reason to sacrifice his GPA. is not found. Typically, those who write their opinions during class are at an inherent disadvantage due to the material available. Simply put, if a professor wanted to write about the benefits of free market economics in a class that required them to incorporate material that blamed capitalism for the causes of world poverty and conflict, they would probably not get a very good grade in that class. It will not be possible to contain it. Therefore, it can be difficult for curious students to conceptualize their views on a subject in a classroom environment.
The best way to deal with opinions that you feel are incorrect or offensive is to independently read contrasting sources on the topics studied in class. However, it can be very difficult to motivate yourself to do this work if you already have readings and assignments to complete all your classes and extracurricular activities. I also noticed this issue occurring when I attended a fully virtual class in the spring of 2021.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a hard time motivating themselves to work when there aren't clear deadlines or incentives. Who wants to read about trade policy in their free time when they could be playing Rocket League on Xbox, hanging out with friends, or watching YouTube? Of course, I could continue to do both of those things, but also keep my knowledge outside of the classroom. I looked for ways to motivate myself to stay curious.
Writing an opinion article was my motivation. Having something I write published, even if few people other than my parents read it, is an exciting experience and makes me feel proud of my work and think critically about issues. I gained confidence in my ability to think and create solutions. I continued to pursue this sentiment through writing for The Spectator (eventually becoming opinion editor) and other small publications such as the World Peace Organization. Although I didn't receive any compensation for writing articles for over a year, the experience I gained from researching a topic and writing articles based on the views of that research paid off in nearly every internship I had during my college years. It helped me get it. For think tanks and publications.
My purpose in writing this article is not to impress anyone or claim that my experience is universal among those who write in the opinion section. Instead, I hope that by sharing the value I get from writing opinion pieces, I can motivate others to write their own. We understand that putting yourself out there by publicly sharing your opinions can be a daunting experience, but the process of researching and writing about a topic can make you more confident in your opinions. I believe this will help you become better able to defend your opinion in any situation. Reflecting on the opinions of others is effective in the classroom, but I believe that successful people in any field have the ability and desire to formulate their own opinions, express them, and support them no matter how much pushback they receive. I strongly believe that Howard Roarke, the protagonist of Ayn Rand's famous novel The Fountainhead, said it best: “The first act, the process of reason, must be performed by each person alone.” This wisdom can also be applied to everyday life. Friends, family, and partners are more interesting and fun to spend time with when they openly express their preferences for certain things and preferences for others, at least in my opinion.
In summary, writing opinion articles is a fun exercise that helps improve your critical thinking and writing skills. I highly recommend anyone who is hesitant to voice their opinions to do so. Regardless of your beliefs, I'm sure there are others out there who feel the same way.
