The Students for Human Life’s semesterly chalking of pro-life messages and drawings around Northrop Mall predictably led to the semesterly defacing of the same. 

The messages were entirely positive: simple statements of Christian charity and support for mothers and their children. Yet abortion supporters on campus could not countenance declarations of an unborn child’s humanity or messages that pro-lifers care for both mother and child. They had to erase and cover these drawings, often replaced with blasphemies, in acts of blatant anti-Christian bigotry. 

Those who preach so much about diversity & inclusion seem to have no interest in intellectual diversity and no problem with excluding students with whom they disagree politically and morally.

Liberal academics drastically outnumber their conservative colleagues. According to a study, the faculties of the top 40 universities in the U.S. that are registered Democrats outnumbered registered Republicans. It therefore follows that there would be more supporters of abortion than pro-lifers at a public university. 

Pro-abortion students naturally would disagree with the statement that unborn babies deserve basic rights. The vitriol with which they responded to it bespeaks a more troubling mindset. Regardless of the side of this issue on which one comes down, it should be universally agreed that “Love Life” is not a hateful statement. Nor should “Jesus Loves You” be viewed as religious extremism that must be turned into blasphemy. 

The point of attending university is to broaden one’s intellectual horizons — to encounter unfamiliar ideas, including ideas with which one may disagree. There is absolutely no need and absolutely no excuse for adults to express the level of anger they did toward these messages. The longtime message of liberal academics has been one of support for radical tolerance and academic freedom. Recent events have proven these phrases to be hollow. By their actions, liberal students have shown that Christians deserve no tolerance and conservative opinions are not covered by academic freedom.

By contrast, Students for Human Life hosts a tabling event every semester to engage pro-abortion students in respectful dialogue. Open discussion and rationalization of opinions are the goals of these events. Yet, pro-abortion students seldom engage the group, choosing either avoidance or passing mockery. 

Perhaps if these students engaged in discussions with pro-lifers, they would come to understand that “Love Life” and “Jesus Loves You” are not meant to cause offense but are instead genuine expressions of care and support.

In university, a student is theoretically enrolled to learn new ideas and information, as well as how to develop rational responses to these new ideas. The answer to opinions with which one disagrees cannot be vandalism — the answer must be better arguments. 

Pro-abortion students should consider this the next time Students for Human Life has their chalking event or a discussion table.

Zachary Borneke is a third-year student at the University of Minnesota majoring in Political Science with a minor in History.