By Drew Shriner | Echo
2017-2018 was an exciting year for the Opinions section. Major campus conversations took place between the lines of staff and student submissions. Topics such as racial reconciliation, Chapel and Excalibur, an anonymous publication that was hotly contested, were debated as members of the Taylor community put words to their thoughts and shared them with the entire Taylor community. Our hope is that this year would see the same level of polite but passionate conversation within the diverse body of thought on Taylor's campus.
Opinions, however, is not restricted to such heavy topics. The Opinions page is also a place to discuss those opinions that are less serious but are still worthy of passion and debate such as media, culture and sports.
Opinions are inherently debatable. In debate, disagreement and controversy arise. With those, passions and emotions frequently run high. Long-form debate, however, can help to ease these emotions. Writing an article is a longer and more thoughtful process than writing a brief response in a social media comment section. The Opinions section is a place of civil discourse and disagreement, not a place to shout one's opinions at one's peers.
The Echo does not discriminate submissions based upon the personal leanings or biases of either the author or the editorial staff. Instead, the Opinions page serves as an open message board for students and staff of all views to express and argue for their beliefs. If one view receives more attention than it's opposing view, that is because of the number of submissions, not because of the beliefs of the Echo.
All Taylor students and faculty are welcomed and encouraged to submit pieces to the Opinions section. Full submissions must be under 600 words and have at least three expert sources. Letters-to-the-editor must be under 200 words and do not need to have a source. The Echo reserves the right to make edits to submissions as necessary. Submissions should be emailed to Opinions Editor Drew Shriner at drew_shriner@taylor.edu.
