Haha. Well, it is certainly liberal. It was the fron of the Rights movement in the 60's. But im sure their are plenty of republicans (two, three maybe, just kidding). But u shouldn't be discouraged, hopefully people don't bash others just because they are conservative.
I love meat and, by all accounts, I hear I'm a conservative (although I do not profess any political leanings, officially). I have the audacity to identify myself as "Very Conservative" in my Facebook profile, and many a women have given me nasty looks for it. I don't let it get to me, although one particular group is especially disappointing "Every Time I Find Out That a Cute Boy is Conservative, a Little Part of Me Dies." If others find out your "background," there's a strong element of pre-judging that's associated with your being republican. It's ever-present, but it's not over-whelming, and although it doesn't dominate your everyday actions, there is an understanding that one should keep certain things (political views) to onself. If you want to join a group that is dedicated to progressive social action, good luck trying to land a leadership position. You must also exhibit a high degree of patience and tolerance- many people make their beliefs known and they aren't shy to share them with you. In the last elections, 93% of the city of Berkeley voted for John Kerry in the presidential elections, which says a lot. Berkeley does not "lean" to one party, but tips and screams liberalism. I don't subscribe to choosing friends based on beliefs, but I must admit that it's rather refreshing when someone comes around with common ideologies on life.
Great post ttgiang15, unfortunately I can no longer be ur friend.
Just kidding!
Actually, i hate it when people dislike or refuse to associate themselves with people of different ideologies. I think those kind of people, liberal or conservative, obvious don't feel strong enough in their own beliefs and are too immature. Apparently most people don't think you can mature conversations with people of the opposite party. In High School it always ends up in a yelling match, which I think is pretty pathetic.
I really want ur facebook account ttgiang15. Hope to see you in the fall
one particular group is especially disappointing "Every Time I Find Out That a Cute Boy is Conservative, a Little Part of Me Dies."
I'm in that group! I don't side with either ideology either, I just like the thing that says, "Because good looks only go so far, and they definitely don't go as far as good ideologies." Not as applied to politics but to personal beliefs
Berkeley is kinda funny for people like me. I tend to be socially moderate-liberal, while I'm financially very conservative. I'd subscribe to the Libertarian Party, but see myself more as an Independent. And if you could look at my voting record, depending on whose running and the election -- I might be just as likely to vote for the Republican as I am for the Democrat. Whoever represents my interests best, and I do research... a lot before I vote.
Government that governs least, governs best, I suppose. Of course, depending on who you ask, this could get me labelled as anything from Republican Lite to Free-Thinker.
Any media release by any university is for positive public relations, make no mistake about it. I saw the article when it was first released, I knew it would be brought up in this thread, but I don't find it representative of views of Berkeley students on the "ground level." In the recent ASUC elections for Senate and Executive Positions, there was a total of 86 candidates for 25 positions: there was one candidate from the Berkeley College Republicans party and she was elected. Obviously, the largest Republican club in the country did not feel comfortable enough among the constituents to send several candidates up for election, but chose to spend of all of its resources on one candidate just so there's representation in the Senate. That's fairly extreme. A likely explanation for the Berkeley Freshmen Political Orientation Data is that there's an existence of a Silent Majority (well, Minority) of Republicans at Cal, those who are quiet and not active, but consider themselves Conservatives. This may very well be the case, but that lends the question: under what conditions are they living if they cannot openly express their views?
I think that UC Berkeley is liberal, not very liberal, but fairly liberal. I also think it is far less liberal than people make it out to be or think it is, and this is a consequence of its previous self.
I read the university release and feel it is fairly accurate. On informal facebook polling, I figured about 1:11 - 1:13 students are very conservative or consevative out of all students with facebook who are scheduled to graduate between 2006 and 2009. I don't think I included libertarians. And ttg, I think people should be more honest and more willing to listen to others. If they aren't going to serious consider what other people are saying, they should say so explicity so others can move on. And I do think that at Berkeley (like at UCLA and probably elsewhere), there are some quiet students because their views don't fall in line with what seems to be the majority of the campus and many of the professors.
