One thing I would like to add is that in the United States right now, it is difficult to be on the side that is not viewed as progressive, especially when you are attending a college like my own. My views are very unpopular here, and unless I am prompted, I will not discuss my own political views because even though they may not be the whole definition of myself, they shape other people's perspectives of me, they shape my definition to others. That can be very dangerous, and is probably one of the main reasons why there is so much tension both in the United States and on my campus lately. When you are on the side that is not appreciated, it can be hard to have people put that aside because in many ways, your views define who you are in their eyes.