By
The Wildcat Opinions Board
Those who believe the post-NCAA championship game riots caused the UA's reputation to fizzle should take a harder look at UA student activism before making such an assumption.
Yesterday morning, about 200 UA and Tucson community members gathered for a rally about one of the most heated issues America faces - abortion.
The groups ranged from the UA Young Democrats and the College Republicans to Students Against Sweatshops and the Tucson Arts Brigade. Some of the groups were staunch pro-choice advocates, while others were vehement pro-life crusaders.
Yet without a single fist fight breaking out or a single gunshot being fired, these groups engaged in a highly charged, ideological debate about one of the country's most divisive issues.
It's usually easy for people to voice their views on abortion. The hard part is learning how to listen.
Today proves intelligent, open-minded people who, despite their differing views, can have a peaceful debate.
But the 200 people who gathered on the UA Mall yesterday proved they can debate without raising their fists.
For a debate about abortion, that's a nice surprise.
Abortion is one of the most divisive issues the American public wrestles with today. It is a hotbutton issue that never seems to die down in intensity. Pro-choice and pro-life advocates are seen at rallies screaming at each other. Political leaders hurl insults at the opposing side for their lack of morality or respect for individual rights.
Even more frightening are radical groups that have used their beliefs to justify violence. Abortion clinic bombings have put a bloody damper on what ought to be a healthy, civilized, ideological debate.
Luckily, the UA got the latter yesterday morning.
It's encouraging to see adults gathered in a civilized manner to discuss major issues like abortion without fighting or gunfire.
It doesn't matter whether the woman standing at the microphone supports a woman's right to choose. It doesn't matter if the next man in line is going to argue in favor of the baby's right to live. The point is that both sides voiced their opinions and were able to listen to the opinions of others in a mature fashion.
This is exactly what an institution of higher learning ought to boast. Yesterday, the UA proved it can pull it off - without setting Old Main on fire.
