Guilford’s core values are as follows: diversity, equality, excellence, integrity, justice, stewardship, and community. You can point fingers at the administration, faculty, and staff for not upholding certain values all you want, but the last, and most essential value, is up to the student body. As you well know, there was what the college called an “altercation” in Bryan Hall at 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 20.

I could talk all day about the incident itself, but this “altercation” is over. At this point, either we can use this as a transcending moment in our time at Guilford, or we can use it to perpetuate stereotypes and create a further divide.

I played football in high school, and I have plenty of friends that are on the football team. Some people may see that and jump to the conclusion that I am a dumb ex-jock with ignorant views. After all, that is the increasing stereotype of athletes at this school.

I also grew up in the South. I am a moderate, but I know plenty of people here could, and have, easily misconstrued something I have said. Thus, I can also be perceived as a raging conservative.

Enough about me. My point is this: at this school, people are quicker to judge than anywhere I have ever been. And I am excluding nobody when I say this.

People find their niches, their cliques, and their roles at the school, and they become content with it. Outside of these cliques, I see very few people attempting to broaden their horizons and seek understanding of one another.

Guilford holds high academic expectations. But education outside of the classroom here is seemingly non-existent, because of the lack of open-mindedness on behalf of all students. Everyone acts like they want to listen, but all they want to do is bicker and debate.

More discussion of the “altercation” can lead us to stop pointing fingers at one another. Mature conversation can lead us to see our differences and can also stimulate ideas from new viewpoints and perspectives.

Here lies the problem with community at Guilford. Judging people superficially and not seeking to understand the alternative viewpoint never leads to anything good – for anyone. It only leads to furthering stereotypes in your mind and increasing hostility between groups of people, regardless of who they are.

So next time you see someone on campus, don’t assume anything. Establish community; that is what Guilford is supposed to be about. You might even be “wild” enough to say hey to someone you don’t know. Without community, the rest of the values mean jack shit. It is up to us to uphold our core value, regardless of how well you think the administration does upholding theirs.