The Quarrelsome Queen City

When I think of an argument culture, my hometown of Cincinnati immediately comes to mind. People in this city argue (for the most part) over some pretty trivial things. Native Cincinnati dwellers will argue over whether the west side or east side of the city is better, who has the best high school football team, whether gold star chili or skyline chili is better, or somehow get involved in an argument over the crappy sports that has plagued the city (The Reds did have a good streak a few years back but in general the Reds and Bengals are not the greatest of teams). For the most part, these arguments take place between friends and family. In the end though, these arguments do not accomplish anything but staunchly establish a viewpoint. 

Also, Cincinnati is a very political city; and at the same time, is a very traditional city. This city is rooted in family and catholic values which shapes many of the political views of its residents. If you are not catholic or have traditional views, even if facts are on your side, you will not win an argument (if you decide to waste energy on an argument with somebody of the opposing party) because it just turns into a heated dispute that ends with both sides not coming to any solution-- basically a political argument between a leftist and a rightist in Cincinnati very accurately portrays today's staggering political divide amongst the government and people as a whole. These arguments are not helpful, but rather detrimental. 

Despite living in a very argumentative city, I have never had a class or teacher that encourages discussing opposing points as a central theme of the class. Occasionally there would be a small opportunity as a part of the lesson plan, but that was quite rare. I had a class my freshman year of high school that involved researching a topic and having to support it against another group that was there to challenge my proposal, but other than those examples, I have never had a professor or class that actively encouraged challenging one's beliefs through dispute. This will change relatively soon though, as being a math major, I will begin to move into more abstract and proof based math (I can already hear the math of real analysis walking up to my doorstep). In these fields of math, I will be legitimately proving mathematical phenomena. From this, in an abstract sense, I will be encouraged by my professors to argue but not in the sense that is mostly thought of when somebody says "argue." I can see why professors might not encourage an argument in class, but I believe that part of growing involves stepping into unfamiliar territory and delving into something that makes one uncomfortable. Arguments can accomplish this and make us better as a whole, but sadly, a lot of times arguments turn hurtful and become fights, which accomplish nothing except inflicting pain and causing injury.

Like I said, Cincinnati is also a very religious city. I can say that from personal experience, people on the west side of the city can get very emotional and engaged in heated discussions about church related matters. I myself am not catholic (which means I either hide this identity or stick out like a sore thumb in the city) but know many people that are. Here is an example of a heated discussion I had to encounter when I was with my ex-girlfriend at one of her family's gargantuan family reunions (another thing for which Cincinnati is known: the entirety of one's family has a 513 area code). Some of her family (including her parents) were arguing about the history and current state of the church and asked me for an opinion to support one of them and I had to awkwardly say "oh, I am not catholic, I do not go to church." It was at that moment where it really hit me that I had said the wrong thing because I have never felt more judged by anybody ever than I did then. I'm pretty sure it was because I said this that my ex-girlfriend's mom hated me. This made me realize how intense some people are about political and church related matters in the city. I don't have any shame in the fact I am not catholic, but I believe that if one is so caught up in one's own beliefs and think poorly of others if they don't share those beliefs, that crosses the line. This argument I had to encounter was one that resulted (as far as I could tell) in nothing positive and only left me feeling annoyed that I was being judged because I don't go to church every Sunday. 

My immediate family only argues once in a blue moon, but some of the arguments that have taken place in my nuclear family lately have been about what is best for me regarding college and life. I am a very independent and forward thinking person who does not need the help of others often. I did the entire college application process on my own, managed my high school grades and time well, and I don't think I need the advice from my parents about careers. I know this can sound very arrogant but I am interested in the applications of mathematics and computer science in the world of banking--which my parents have no experience in, they're medical professionals. I realize my parents want what is only best for me, but lately we have been arguing over me dropping my finance major to be a math and computer science major with a minor in economics. I have tried to present facts and tell (it's mainly my mom, my dad just plays along to avoid conflict) my parents the myriad of reasons why I should study these fields but they don't want to have it. I am saving this battle for another day because they are paying for my college and many other things which I am incredibly grateful for, I realize I am a very fortunate kid and owe my parents more than a lifetime of repayment could offer. It is just frustrating when my mom ignores my rational argument for why I should study math and computer science. I also love math and it is slightly upsetting that they are hesitant to let me study what I truly enjoy doing. I want to use the skills I will learn from studying math, computer science, and economics to help me change lives (what my proposal is about) but I think this is something my parents have a hard time seeing; they can't see how I could use these skills to help improve people's lives. I'm sure everything in the end will turn out alright, but this is just another example/insight into the argumentative culture I am surrounded by.