On my first day of class last semester my racial politics professor asked the students to raise their hands if they were Republican. Out of a class of 50, only two raised their hands – another student and me.

My professor focused on my and said, "So you believe in the view of President Bush?"

I said, "Yes."

"Then you're a fascist," he responded.

Here at SF State we pride ourselves on being culturally diverse, a place where everyone is accepted. That is unless you are a Republican.

The freedom to an education that is politically unbiased and accepting of different political views is not one that SF State practices. Instead, professors often teach their viewpoints and political biases, which hinders students from forming their own opinions. This does not promote an equal opportunity to an education.

State schools in California have specific guidelines that they must follow. Every student must be given a fair and equal opportunity regardless of race, gender or politics. It also states that faculty members must not force their political views on students, according to the Executive Orders No. 79 of the CSU laws.

According to the Washington Post, studies showed that 72 percent of professors teaching at American universities and colleges are liberal and only 17 percent are Republican. The imbalance is astonishing.

As I began my senior year at SF State, as a college Republican, I’m usually not surprised by anything anymore. I’m used to the political slurs about President Bush from teachers and students alike, the hating of our government, the anti-war protests, and even the people who try to fight off military recruiters.

However, when the finger is pointing strictly at me, I am continually outraged. I’ve had enough. I demand an equal opportunity to an unbiased education.

Sitting in class under the pretenses of a left-wing viewpoint is not one that I’m particularly fond of, but I am willing to accept. What I’m not willing to accept is being discriminated against and pointed out as “fascist.”

And why does this surprise me? If I am a fascist then supposedly I believe in the suppression of individuals and the ruling of a dictatorship – Mussolini. At best I am a Nazi, all because I’m a Republican. These accusations are false because I am not a fascist and it outrages me that a professor at SF State would classify me as such.

In turn I am not only discriminated against, but I was also discouraged to participate in class discussions. After all, in a class of 48 liberal students, really what I have to say obviously wouldn’t be reputable.

College is, in theory, crucial to the development of critical thinking, personal opinion, individual rights, and to emphasize liberty and equality. However, they often provide the exact opposite.

Although this is not true for all, some professors are discriminatory and biased and don’t allow for individual thought, thus denying our American liberties. We need to be provided the knowledge, but given the freedom and constitutional right to form our own opinions.