We've all encountered stories about Republican voters who are ostracized in the workplace, and that is a shame. My approach to working with others, in this case, student help, is quite different. For years, I've retained the services of college students as my proofreaders. I advertise in job banks, student newspapers of nearby universities, and a variety of online recruitment sites.
Invariably, I find students who are adept at proofreading and are eager for the job. Some are English majors or have taken journalism classes; some are proficient regardless of their major.
Come One, Come All
Since I have done considerable political writing in recent years, I am careful when interviewing students to let them know they do not have to agree with me politically. Actually, I would abhor hiring only students who agree with me.
Unlike many of the Liberals whom I know, most Conservatives are reasonably tolerant. It is not necessary that a student share my viewpoint on any one article that I've written. The only criterion of importance to me is that the student can effectively proofread.
Most students are fine with the situation. They're grateful for the earnings and the chance to add to their resumes, particularly if they're seeking to enter a writing-related profession.
Not Your Cup of Tea?
Occasionally, I'll encounter a student who is uncomfortable with proofreading articles that espouse conservative views. The students who bomb out quickly usually lean Left. Seemingly, it is not within their capability to proofread material that might represent an ideological challenge to them. That's fairly understandable.
I'm up front with all students, telling them at the outset about my political columns and that they don't have to concur with what I write. Their task is to make my articles more succinct, grammatically correct, shorn of typos, and free-flowing.
Recently, a young lady from a nearby university, whom I met twice for purposes of orientation, took copious notes to understand the overall picture of what I'm seeking to achieve. Before she had her third on-site visit, she decided that the position was not for her. I had given her a couple of my published articles so that she could have an idea of my writing style.
She didn't tell me, but apparently my articles were upsetting to her or, perhaps, to her friends or her parents. No matter; it's best to find out early if someone is uncomfortable with the subject matter. Both parties are better off splitting early and amicably.
Toleration Matters
Now and then, as they were proofreading my material, I've had students who have challenged some of the assertions I've made. Little did they know that I actually appreciated their efforts. Their views enabled me to strengthen my articles. In essence, it is a bonus to have student editors on board who raise hackles with some of my points.
One of the reasons I don't mind if a student is Left-Leaning is that when I was younger, I was as well. Over time, I began to see severe drawbacks in leftist ideology, not that the Right is sacrosanct. The programs and policies that Democrat politicians offered left me cold; gaping holes in their approach to governing made me suspect. Politicians on the Right are not always superior in their approach to governing, but, generally speaking, I could find much with them to which I agree. In recent decades, to me, leftists collectively have gone insane, with civilization-destroying viewpoints, policies, and programs. As we have experienced, mass insanity isn’t pretty.
I surmise that as one ages and hopefully gains wisdom, one would naturally be inclined to start leaning right. We know, however, that this is not always the case. People are influenced in a variety of ways by many kinds of information sources. It can be difficult to predict how relatively young people will fare in their viewpoints a score or two hence.
In any event, I am tolerant of my students’ political views because, after all, they have a right to them, however misguided they might be.
Some Finer Day
I look forward to the day, which is probably far off, when students from all points of the political spectrum are sufficiently tolerant to be able to proofread material, whether they agree with the content or not.
In my case, it's not as if my articles are off the wall. I'm not making outrageous claims or unsubstantiated assertions. When I write an article, I always have the capability of backing up every point with one or more valid sources.
As it stands now, the proofreader whom I have in place has not revealed her politics, and that’s fine. While one might think that it's convenient, comforting, or useful in maintaining the relationship, to me, it is incidental to that student’s skills.
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