Conservative politics on Kent’s campus: is there a bias?
[kaltura-widget uiconfid=”31244571″ entryid=”0_sddntimf” responsive=”true” hoveringControls=”false” width=”100%” height=”75%” /]
Kent State University alumna Kaitlin Bennett sparked controversy when her graduation photo advocating for gun rights went viral earlier this year.
In the photo, Bennett stands on campus with an AR-10 rifle slung across her back. Her graduation cap in her hand is decorated with a picture of a rifle and the words ‘come and take it’.
For the historically liberal university, Bennett’s photo opened a new discussion on conservative politics. Though she’s graduated, Bennett remains a face for conservative politics at Kent State.
What’s she up to now?
Bennett’s been keeping herself busy since her photos went viral. She’s been on national TV outlets like Fox News, NBC, and CBS; she’s also appeared on Alex Jones’ InfoWars.
College students from all over the country invite her to speak on their campus—her next stop is San Diego State University.
Recently, Bennett resurfaced in the news due to her planned September 29 open carry rally on Kent State’s campus. However, the university ordered Bennett to stop promoting the rally due to not having permission to hold the event.
Bennett claims she tried to talk to the university to get permission but was not informed that she was no longer allowed to speak to the administration.
Despite the university’s statement, Bennett still plans on holding the rally.
“I gave conservatives a voice,” Bennett says. “Being able to be that voice was really interesting…people got inspired.”
Bennett is a strong believer that at Kent State, something needs to be changed about the political landscape. She cites the historically liberal campus and faculty as the reason for the need for change.
“Start from the top,” Bennett says. “Work with the biases in the administration.”
Bennett feels the university censors conservatives, and certain conservative students are very unhappy.
Michael Heil agrees.
Heil is the president of the Kent State Liberty Hangout Chapter. Liberty Hangout is a right-libertarian group focusing on free-market economics and ethics of private property rights.
Liberty Hangout has a national online presence of over 200,000. It’s already gained a notorious reputation since it was established on campus. When members are recognized, they may be treated negatively, though some opposers hold a discussion.
“We find [the criticism] funny…we develop thick skin,” Heil says.
Heil, like Bennett, wants the administrators of the university to stay neutral when it comes to political issues.
“We’ve seen multiple students being biased against,” Heil says. “Some professors teach and only give one point of view.”
Stevan Krainovich, a member of the College Republicans chapter at Kent State, feels that the biases among politics on campus isn’t always a bad thing.
“I don’t like it, but it’s necessary for conversation,” Krainovich says. “As long as I get a chance to speak my opinions, then I’m totally fine with it. Everyone is going to have their own biases—I have them, and you have yours.”
Krainovich admits he has seen other Republicans get shut down for their views before they even get to discuss anything. To encourage discussion, Krainovich thinks we all just need to realize that we are humans first.
“We need to get over the stigma that all Republicans are racist, and all Democrats are nut-jobs,” Krainovich says. “When I’m debating someone, we can disagree, but at the end of the day we still want good things to happen to each other.”
Bennett says both sides just need to stop hurling insults at each other.
“It only bridges the gap [between the sides],” Bennett says. “The defamation of character needs to stop.”
Heil echoes the sentiment, and says he’d love to see more conservatives get involved on campus.
“College is about diversity,” Heil says. “That’s including intellectual diversity.”
Story by: Sharie Ellison and Hailee Carlin