“… I’ve got your back.”

It can be said there are many on campus who aren’t comfortable. It seems a polarization of attitudes, ideals and convictions is taking place.

Sit in any classroom, walk down any sidewalk, look someone in the eye and see whom you can trust and whom you can’t.

It’s hard, very hard to judge someone when it is unclear as to who they really are. We would like to consider ourselves socially aware, but in reality, we choose to trust those among us regardless of various signals indicating we should believe otherwise.

Why?

I guess an answer lies in the obvious: we are in a learning institution, and thus, we are learning.

We are learning that someone needs to earn our trust first. It is not a given anymore. We are learning that responsibility lies in our own hands to get things done. Hints and reminders don’t make the grade.

We are learning the same applies in reverse. No one will listen to us just because we are here. We need to define our presence in specifics, outline our goals and complete them in a timely manner.

Students are learning these things, and hopefully, so is Iowa State’s administrative body. The recent closed Beardshear Eight hearings are an example of this.

Not another 9/29, Beardshear Eight, GSB, Jischke, Catt Hall column, you say. At least not another typical one, I hope.

Think of the people involved in the groups I’ve listed just now. Think of their convictions for a minute. Think of their beliefs.

It’s extremely admirable that a group of people can assemble and hold true to their beliefs regardless of the consequences.

The administration said students couldn’t assemble.

And The September 29th Movement said: We will.

The administration said it would prosecute a handful of those involved for assembling.

And The September 29th Movement said: We want justice.

The administration said those being prosecuted would be charged behind closed doors, stripped of their campus leadership positions and receive a permanent mark on their records.

And The September 29th Movement said: We deserve justice.

Where will they find it? Who can they trust?

GSB has recently chosen not to waive the second-reading rule when it was needed most and not discuss the situation involving their peers. Teachers have complained, but it seems they are trying to move mountains.

Somewhere, sometime, someone will have to say, “Enough!”

It’s true many believe if another party doesn’t agree with their position, then that party is wrong. The September 29th Movement believes the administration is wrong just the same as the administration believes The September 29th Movement is wrong.

Both are strong in it’s convictions. Both are unbending and unyielding. They trust one another within their own group. Such traits, again, are admirable. Now the question is, who is right?

To be honest, it depends on who’s fight it is and who chooses to involve themselves. It can be your fight just as it can be mine.

I can send letters to the administration shunning them for unfair or illegal practices. It would have been interesting if the Daily had taken legal action against University administrators once we found out we were not allowed to attend The Beardshear Eight hearings. That moment has passed, however.

In the mean time, I can march with the best of ’em, pounding my chest for justice. I can raise my voice above the din of grumbles and judicial pains. I can sport the attire and walk the walk, defying those before me who do not agree with my ideas or dreams.

But right or wrong, good or bad, for better or for worse, I cannot. Somewhere along the line I have chosen my own fight. It is not less admirable or less important than another’s, but it is my fight alone.

You see, sometimes life can be challenging enough when you’re just being yourself. I’m sure occasions will present themselves where who I am is all I’ve got. I will graduate soon. I will leave here to promote myself and my own convictions to the world, and hope someone listens.

I will try to succeed where others have not, pounding my chest and sounding my voice just the same.

In the mean time, I choose to support those students who have recently become unwanted poster children for the administration and the university, but also fight for myself and the world I am entering.

The truth is, to me, my fight is just as important.

So I will say it once again: “John Mullen, I’ve got your back.”

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John Mullen is a senior in liberal studies from Waterloo. He is opinion editor of the Daily.