Opinions and Editorials Section
By Jackson Hare, Education and Enrichment Coordinator
If one were to browse my catalogue of past opinion pieces for Xavier Newswire, they might arrive at an inaccurate synthesis of my views, mischaracterizing my dissent as a dislike of Xavier.
Truthfully, even I’ve questioned whether I truly enjoyed my Xavier experience, given how often dissatisfaction has weighed on my mind. The unraveling of the university’s commitment to diversity, the needless stifling of peaceful protest because it wasn’t conducted where the university deemed acceptable, the surge of Catholic symbolism and ideals and a pervasive culture of “only on my terms” political discourse have left me with much still to say.
Yet my criticism and dissent do not stem from disdain for Xavier or its mission. They arise from a profound respect and love for the Xavier community.
I owe so much to my professors and the community I’ve found here for shaping me into someone who relentlessly seeks ways for their community to improve, to serve better and to live out its mission more fully. Unfortunately, this drive often makes me seem like an “all-time hater.”
For my final dissent, I urge the university to tread carefully in the years ahead. With shifting tides surrounding the value of higher education — particularly private education — and as Xavier reconciles its financial and aspirational sustainability, I hope decisions are guided by the needs of its faculty, staff and students.
Above all, I hope the university comes to see its private identity as a source of privilege — one I have seen wielded recklessly — and understands that if this misuse persists, the consequences will catch up to them.
The future is uncertain, with potentially drastic changes to policies impacting education and free expression. Xavier must stand firmly against these efforts to undermine the foundations of a liberal arts education and embody its mission through actions both within and beyond its campus. While the faculty and staff uphold this mission with ease, I have yet to see the administration do the same.
Jackson Hare took his first photo at Xavier University in the beginning of his first year.
Defining how and where students can express dissent is oxymoronic. Expression is meant to be disruptive, uncomfortable and unbound by institutional expectations. Initiatives like Take It On and CURA reduce dissent to a shallow facade, appropriating it in ways that delegitimize its power.
As a private university, Xavier has more discretion over how and when dissent occurs, but it should not abuse this authority. While it is justified as a means to prevent hate speech, this justification is often wielded to suppress any discomfort — the very discomfort necessary for growth and change.
I stress this because, at some point, students will lose respect for an authority that consistently thwarts their expression. They will protest without regard for the “proper decorum” demanded by the administration. We must not wait for that moment.
Finally, I urge all students to adopt the kind of love I feel for Xavier — a love that critiques, exposes weaknesses and identifies paths for change. It may feel isolating at times, but as I’ve learned, your community — your people — will stand by you.
In my time at Xavier, I have found a deeper sense of belonging than I’ve ever felt before. Critique is not a rejection of this belonging; it is its highest form. Let us hold Xavier accountable because we love it enough to demand it be better.
