We pride ourselves in freedom of speech, of religion and of the press, yet we hold these truths to be self-evident that alcoholic beverages are evil. That all men and women, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or religion, may be considered impure and unhealthy upon the consumption of such substances that helped our species survive in the first place. 

But that was so long ago. Surely, with such great knowledge and bountiful resources that come with first-world-country status, we have reached a level of sophisticated understanding of how to sustain a stable nation of acceptance, especially regarding something so commonplace to our history as fermented beverages. 

Nope.

We bet our livers. We ride the bus. We shotgun and keg stand and day drink until all the free beer is gone — we call that a pregame. Some never make it to the bars, and of those who do, maybe half remember. And at the base of the beer-a-mid, the wisest wizards make the dumbest mistakes. If we abstain, we are too good, and if we partake it’s just too bad, because there is no in-between and moderation was five shots ago. 

That is the American right of passage. And ignoring a problem seems to be the cultural approach, and it’s not just with alcohol.

The burden of teaching a topic with maturity and understanding often falls on the American school system. But how much can a school be expected to combat cultural norms or taboos? Let’s look at an issue that is highly stigmatized in America, especially when involving teenagers and young adults: sex. 

Sex education in this country is abysmal in comparison to our European neighbors, and only now are we starting to understand why.

Abstinence-only education results in more teenage pregnancies than programs that introduce safe sex options. Yet, as mentioned in the 2009 documentary “Let’s Talk About Sex,” some young Americans are still convinced that condom is a dirty word. Choosing to abstain from intercourse or drinking alcohol is a personal choice and should be respected as such. But the fact of this particular matter is that a substantial number of young Americans make the choice to drink like they may make the choice to have sex. Alcohol is the drug of choice among American adolescents and is used more than tobacco or illicit drugs, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Maybe if schools, families and community outreach groups started teaching students what an appropriate serving size of beer is instead of commanding that thou shalt not blow above a .08, there might be a smaller number of stupid mistakes. 

Those opposed to safe-sex education argue that teaching children about sex would encourage participation in sexual activity. But evidence suggests the contrary — those educated on how to practice safe sex ended up having less sex, even waiting longer before becoming sexually active.

What if school programs discuss not just the physical and legal complications of abusing alcohol, but also how to responsibly enjoy a drink? 

Like positive sex education where students learn birth control options or abstinence, understanding how a drink or two can be enjoyed in a healthy and safe manner may lead a future of lower sad statistics. 

Religious, health or other considerations may be made in personal instances, but decisions about how to handle sex and alcohol are based on just that — personal feelings. Instead of “Don’t drink and drive,” the message becomes “If you drink, don’t drive.” Doesn’t that sound a bit more realistic? Scolding rarely inspires people to better themselves. Giving realistic options for responsible decision-making sounds a bit more on par with positive outcomes. Is the problem the drinking itself or the irresponsible decisions that result from alcohol abuse? 

The American college culture encourages students to drink in excess at any age. Drink to be grown-up. Drink to feel young again. Drink to celebrate. Then drink away the pain. And by the time we turn 21, we legally solidify all the habits we have worked to create for the last three to seven years.

But at some colleges, students party without drinking. More importantly, there are people in America of college age who choose to handle alcohol responsibly. We don’t often hear about this population — maybe it’s time we do. This Friday is an opportunity to show this community and this country that we can handle ourselves around alcohol. 

You don’t have to embrace Unofficial, but you don’t have to condemn it either. This holiday, much less this aspect of a campus community, is a product of this country’s environment of fear toward alcohol. Even without the 20,000 or more visitors from neighboring universities frolicking outside in the early hours of the morning, it’s Unofficial every Thursday, Friday and Saturday here in Chambana. Green Street is bustling, frat houses are trashed, and apartment parties dictate the neighborhood’s noise level — but for one day each spring semester, the chaos is color-coordinated. 

We are a culture refusing to accept that alcohol is not the enemy.  

Knowledge is power, America. And ignorance is the reason for the season. Happy Unofficial.

Renée is a senior in Media. She can be reached at [email protected].