Examining both sides of a conflict

The time has passed in our lives where we can uniformly categorize our conflicts into the subsets of right or wrong. Situations become complex, differences strive from fundamentals, and most of all, issues become multi-faceted. Many of our problems are no longer black and white, but an amalgamated, confused gray.

 

Such is the most recent disagreement between Boston College Students for Sexual Health (BCSSH) and Boston College Students for Dental Health (BCSDH), the masqueraded name for a conglomeration of members of the Sons of St. Patrick, the St. Thomas More Society and the Pro-Life Club. Although many have zealously advocated for or against either organization, The Heights would like to use this forum to encourage a different type of dialogue.

 

BCSSH is a group that promotes conversation about issues of sexual health on campus. At a Catholic University, our access to information about sexual health is indeed limited, and therefore this group does have a necessary place. It must be said, however, that they have often been criticized for the way they distribute condoms—namely, that their methods make some students feel pressured to take them. There are factions amongst BC students when it comes to sex, and BCSSH’s strategies of distributing condoms may improperly infringe on personal beliefs.

BCSDH is a group representative of that section of the student body, and it is for the wellbeing of the entire campus that their voice, too, is heard. If students are uncomfortable with the actions of a group of BC students, they should stand up just as BCSDH did last Friday. BCSSH may be an important resource, but the same goes with groups such as BCSDH, who serve as a foil to remind us that ideologically, we at BC are diverse. For that, BCSDH must be commended.

 

It must be noted that although the intentions of BCSDH are foundationally strong, The Heights is uncertain about their approach to the matter. It is clear that dialogue needs to happen about this topic, but instead of fostering dialogue, BCSDH has alienated BCSSH with their actions. BCSSH may have its faults, but BCSDH could have found better ways to comment on them.

 

The Heights would like to ask both groups to keep this editorial in mind, and most of all, to listen to the fundamental ideas behind their adversary’s actions.