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Volume CXXXII, Number 19 |
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We may be shy, but we do care
To the Editors:
I was happy to read Ben Kreider's article in last week's issue of the Orient* commending the Bowdoin Coalition Against the War in Iraq (BCAWI) and other student groups for sparking debate and dialogue across campus about the war in Iraq. The discussions taking place on campus between people of all viewpoints were really positive. I wanted to point out, however, that just because some students do not publicly discuss and debate their views on the war does not mean that they are apathetic about the issue. For some students, public discussion and debate about issues surrounding world events such as the present war in Iraq are important and beneficial, but that does not mean that students who choose not to take part in those public forums do not care about the war or its implications. Some students may be affected by these issues in ways that are not apparent at the surface-level, and their choice to keep their feelings and opinions to themselves should not be mistaken for apathy.
I would also like to disagree with Ben's implication that this was the first moment that the Bowdoin student body cared about something other than "their grades or getting wasted on the weekend." We are a far more informed and caring student body that we give ourselves credit for. Some students dedicate a great deal of time to state, national, and international politics. Other students find value in giving of themselves to other causes and activities, but this does not mean that they are uninformed or apathetic. The BCAWI and other student groups have done a great job of tapping into student energy that has been there all along.
In terms of Ben's comment that Bowdoin may one day "become the new Wesleyan," I can only say that I really hope not. Bowdoin is certainly not a place of boring perfections, but it is a unique place with a rather fabulous student body (if I do say so), and a great faculty and staff. Quite simply, if I had wanted to go to Wesleyan, I would have gone there. That said, I would like to thank Ben for his article and also thank all of the student groups that have worked so hard to create dialogue about the war in Iraq; but it is important to recognize that just because some students may choose not to enter into public debate over these issues does not mean that they do not care deeply about them.
Sincerely,
Meghan MacNeil '03
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