A Marketplace of Ideas

In my journalism class with Tom Haines this semester we have discussed frequently the purposes of a free press, and one of these purposes is to offer a democracy a "marketplace of ideas."  This alludes to the idea that as a democracy everyone's ideas should be heard, not just the ideas of those with the most money or those that are in the majority.  I have experienced this idea first hand when for my article for this week I went to a meeting for MOSAICO and interviewed a couple of its members.  MOSAICO is a group on campus for Latinos in the community.  It offers support for Latinos living on an otherwise predominately white campus.  It was fun to see how the group celebrates their various heritages through their meetings; at the meeting I attended I got the chance to hear the members discuss types of dances and music that come from their places of origin or the countries with which they connect.  The co-president of the organization discussed the dance bachata, which comes from the Dominican Republic.  I'm excited to start writing this article because I think it will reveal to the community what this group is all about and open people's eyes to the diversity we have on campus.  Also, my interview with one of its member's illustrates how a member of a minority group on campus thinks, and, based on the marketplace of ideas function, it is important to get these minority voices out into the general discussion and out into the public with everyone else's thoughts and opinions.