Blog

Nov 01, 2024

A letter from the Opinions Desk - The New School Free Press

At 17, I began to realize that I was moving into womanhood. I could tell that people, men specifically, perceived me differently. This was especially apparent at work, where one of my male coworkers

At 17, I began to realize that I was moving into womanhood. I could tell that people, men specifically, perceived me differently. This was especially apparent at work, where one of my male coworkers would yell compliments at me across the parking lot as we split ways from our closing shift. When I told people at work I felt uncomfortable, no one listened, so I decided to write an op-ed for my high school paper about it in the hopes that one person would listen.

Unexpectedly, it became the top story on our website for days. People reposted the article on their Instagram stories, and comments flooded in under the post about it. I was reached out to, tagged, and told face-to-face that my story was sadly relatable and touching.

Even though the circumstances were unfortunate, publishing that piece has been a blessing for me. I was suddenly aware that my experiences mattered and that if I wrote about them, other people would care. Before, that had seemed impossible to an introvert like myself. Now, I’ve built an online collection of my opinions and experiences throughout the years and a community that surrounds each of those stories.

Scrolling back through the opinions section of a publication’s website is like traveling through history. It’s different from just what’s going on during that time but instead shows the thought processes of those participating in the moment. That’s what is important.

I used to be clueless about what to write about when I was assigned to the opinions desk, but now even a text message I sent in a group chat is enough for me to spark an opinion. I ask myself, why did I say that? What’s happening around me that led me to say that? We are all opinionated about something, and even if it seems small, it’s crucial that we share.

At The New School and in New York City, we’re constantly exposed to multifaceted discussions and conflicting views on the sidewalks and in the classroom. When we respond to what’s happening around us, I think it’s worthwhile for us to dig into our reactions and ask more of ourselves. Instead of simply skimming a lecture or passing by an occurrence on the street, I think about what I can take away and add it to my list of story ideas.

Did your professor say something meaningful that stuck with you in class? Write an op-ed. Did you have a crazy experience on a night out that made you rethink the meaning of life? Write an op-ed. Maybe you read through your high school journal and had a realization. You get it.

You may be scared, but let me let you in on my high school friends’ favorite thing to tease me about…

I had just joined the student newspaper and scored a spot to write for the opinions section. It was March 2020, right as the pandemic was starting, and the U.S. was beginning to see its COVID-19 cases spike. And what did I think would be a good topic to write about? That masks are not the solution.

After the following three years spent masking voluntarily every single day at school — both for personal comfort and safety as well as to abide by masking mandates at the time — I definitely don’t stand by that opinion anymore. My argument lacked scientific evidence, and I have no idea how the editors let that slide. But I don’t hold it against anyone, including myself, because it was my opinion at the time, and there was still a lack of information about the pandemic back then. Now I know that I was wrong, and I’ve changed my mind.

This is why I’ve grown to love the opinions section of each newspaper I’ve worked on and each publication I’ve read. Opinions aren’t stagnant, and a publication like the New School Free Press accepts that.

It can be terrifying to share your opinion, but if 14-year-old-me did it, then so can you. Trust me. There’s nothing more rewarding than someone reaching out to you after reading your work and telling you that they resonated with what you wrote. Or rather, just having a personal archive of your opinions through your college experience. Opinions are a beautiful thing, and I encourage you to share yours with us.

Caroline Gould is the Opinions Editor at the New School Free Press. If you’re a New School student, faculty, or staff member, pitch your thoughts and most opinionated opinions to [email protected].