Buckets34’s Weblog

I have unpacked the term “liberal” which seems to play a dominant role in my education experience, and lifestyle at home and at school.  “Liberal” as defined by many dictionary sources is:

 *Broad: showing or characterized by broad-mindedness

*Having political or social views favoring reform and progress tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition; a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties

*Big: given or giving freely; “was a big tipper”; “the bounteous goodness of God”; “bountiful compliments”; “a freehanded host”; “a handsome allowance

*A person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets

*Liberalism refers to a broad array of related doctrines, ideologies, philosophical views, and political traditions, which hold that individual liberty is the primary political value.

*In the US political spectrum, “liberals” are said to be slightly left-of-center or somewhat left-of-center. Of the two main political parties, the Democrats are thought to be more liberal, as the term is currently defined.

*Political or social views that put a great emphasis on creating new social patterns or values, often with the help of direct government action. Political view that supports gradual change and government spending to assist lower classes in society. 
 *Traditionally, the word liberal means to be open to new ideas and tolerant of others. To be liberal politically, is to emphasize political and economic freedom. They tend to favor gradual changes in society and promote government programs to solve problems. *Political viewpoint with origins in Western Europe during the 19th century; stressed limited state interference in individual life, representation of propertied people in government; urged importance of constitutional rule and parliaments.

The term “liberal” definitely proves to be a mark of the culture I have lived in for a long time. It is representative of the rights, opportunities, or freedoms restricted to those who define their lifestyle as “liberal”.  People from different areas of the world may associate those who consider themselves a “liberal” or lead a “liberal” lifestyle in a biased way.  It is evident that this term proves to often serve as a political reference, which often creates controversy because of strongly opposing viewpoints.  I attend Umass Amherst, which is known to the public as a “liberal” school in its methods of teaching, viewpoints and lifestyle of people living in the surrounding area, and even the income and sexual preferences seem to match up with what “liberals” more often embrace. Teachers who pride themselves on being “liberal” in their ideas, beliefs, and lifestyle have taught many of my classes as a Communications Major.  In political reference, the definition of liberal, which states, “Traditionally, the word liberal means to be open to new ideas and tolerant of others. To be liberal politically, is to emphasize political and economic freedom. They tend to favor gradual changes in society and promote government programs to solve problems” seems to be the side of the spectrum that I follow.  It is apparent that many people at this University seem to have similar viewpoints, which also dubs UMass a liberal based school by definition. However, it is wrong to assume that all those who characterize themselves as a “liberal” believe in and follow all the levels of its definition.  It is wrong to place stereotypes on people based on the mess created by simple words.

In this basic definition of  “liberal” I hope all those reading understand my liberal perspectives as well as those associated with the creation of these definitions and free spirited way of life and will excuse my, as well as much of UMass Amherst’s, political and personal view if it does not adhere to their own.