TPUSA connects with students on controversial discussion topic

Turning Point USA (TPUSA) at Troy University set up their second discussion table of the semester in the Trojan Center last Thursday. 

TPUSA created a banner along the front of their table with the discussion topic “Abortion is Murder” written across it, which drew the eyes of students passing by. 

Gabby Gandy, a freshman exercise physiology major from Troy, Alabama, said she didn’t originally intend on sticking around for the debate.  

“At first, I was just going to get some candy and hand out a flyer for UAC Oktoberfest,” Gandy said. “Then they asked me; I stepped back and looked and was like, what did I get myself into? 

“Of course, some stuff I did not agree with, but they have their views, and I respect it one-hundred percent.” 

Gandy shared some of her personal views on the topic of discission TPUSA had set up.  

“I could see both sides, but I'm mainly more about personal experiences and how people are dealing in their lives rather than the science,” Gandy said. “They’ve got to think of it from another person’s perspective that’s not theirs.  

“Imagine you’re not financially stable or not in the mental state. I do understand where they’re coming from, but you can’t just think of the scienceif it’s a human life.  

For me, there’s just different views and personal reasons of people and what they go through in life.” 

Despite originally approaching the table with no intent of discussing the topic, Gandy said it’s still important to have these hard conversations to learn about other people’s perspectives.  

TPUSA’s topic of “Abortion is Murder” comes after their first discussion table, “Big Government Sucks.”  

“The spirit of these discussion tables is let’s just talk civilly about why we believe what we believe,” said TPUSA at Troy President Caitlyn Harris.“Debate should be a discussion.  

“It shouldn’t be a yelling and spitting argument.” 

Harris emphasized one of the main beliefs TPUSA established their organization on.  

“We don’t just base our beliefs on a single political figure, but we try to base our beliefs on Jesus, first,” Harris said. “We have seen tons of people come to the Lord through this, and honestly that’s the mission.  

“At the end of the day, the point behind it is to further the Lord’s kingdom.” 

Harris said she understands how controversial the topic of “Abortion is Murder” is and is open to all viewpoints with a respectable approach.  

“I'm not just not open to changing my mind about some things,” Harris said. “Every time someone comes up and disagrees, I can be more grounded in my beliefs or maybe have something different to think about, and I think that’s wonderful.”  

Harris expressed her gratitude for everyone who stopped by the table to have a conversation.  

“I just want to say thank you to everyone for coming out and discussing with us because I think it’s important, and that’s how we understand each other,” Harris said.  

Jennasis Peak, a freshman elementary education major from Luverne, Alabama, is involved in TPUSA and was one of the students behind the discussion table listening to fellow debaters.  

“In this generation, I feel like it’s important to stand firm in what you believe because we don't know how to talk as a generation,” Peak said. “Covid hit, we forgot how to talk, and we don’t know how to express our beliefs.” 

Despite the topic being controversial, Peak appreciated everyone who stopped by the table and shared what she hopes students took away from the discussion.  

“I believe it’s very important that we keep our ears open to understand what other people’s beliefs are but also why they believe it,” Peak said. “I don’t think a lot of people would walk away agreeing, but I would hope that they walk away feeling heard from our group.”  

Peak wanted to give kudos to all of the students who stopped by at their discussion table.  

“It's always hard to know that what you’re debating is controversial, and it’s not going to be accepted,” Peak said. “The most challenging part is just starting the conversation.  

“Just walking up takes a lot of courage and bravery, especially when you know they don’t believe what you believe.”  

To keep up with future events with Troy University’s TPUSA chapter, check out their Instagram @tpusatroy.