Students searching for a way to express their feelings after the events of Sept. 11 may find an outlet through a University-wide pledge. Stemming from the Peace and Justice Studies program, the pledge has been designed to show support for those affected by the tragedy as well as advance the idea that justice must be served.
The inspiration for a pledge from the Tufts community came shortly after the events of Sept. 11, according to Dale Bryan, Assistant Director of Peace and Justice Studies. Students and faculty on the Peace and Justice Studies Executive Board decided to organize a program where people could meet and express their feelings and thoughts about what happened. The event, which took place on Thursday, Sept. 13, was called "Reflections on the Tragedy: Personal and Social Responses." It was the second in a series of forums on campus encouraged by the administration in response to the terrorist attacks.
Approximately 70 people attended the event to consider the events earlier in the week. During the discussion, some attendees become concerned about anti-Arab and anti-Muslim feelings on campus. Participants in the forum agreed that this was unacceptable, and the idea for a pledge emerged from the discussion.
"Initially, I think everyone was trying to find ways to take steps to respond to the atrocities of Sept. 11. For those who turned out for the meeting it was a gesture of support for the victims, but people also wanted to be supportive to campus members," Bryan said.
The mixture of feelings brought up during the discussion formed the backbone of the pledge. "At the end of the session, [Director of Peace and Justice Studies] Paul Joseph began to draft the text. Several other students, faculty, and staff had input into what became the final document," Bryan said.
The pledge, which can be found at ase.tufts.edu/pjs/pledge.asp, outlines four points. The first is dismay at the loss of life and compassion for those affected. It urges that the search for justice be focused specifically on those responsible for the attack, and that people of certain religious beliefs, nationalities, or social groups are not unjustly targeted. Finally, it stresses that the search for justice continues in accordance with a commitment to civil liberties, due process, and diversity.
Bryan said that support for the pledge continues to grow across campus. Members of the Peace and Justice Studies Executive Board have been tabling in the campus center and passing out leaflets to draw interest. An e-mail campaign was also started, and information on the pledge is currently circulating with a snowball effect around all three Tufts campuses.
"The responses to the pledge are positive, and that's really exciting," said senior Cat Wolmar, a member of the Peace and Justice Studies Executive Board.
Although the events of Sept. 11 occurred over two weeks ago, the effects are still being felt. Bryan said it may take a while for students to work through their feelings. He believes this is one of the reasons that this pledge is still circulating - students are able to continue to respond, instead of isolating themselves in fear.
In addition to bringing the pledge to the University, the Peace and Justice Studies program has been working on other ideas to help those on campus deal with the tragedy. Members have been contacted by several campus organizations interested in having speakers come to campus and holding rallies.
"We are working with other programs within the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies to hold a panel or a teach-in later in October," Bryan said. The event will focus on nonviolent strategies to reach reasonable justice, other than military options.
In response to the anticipated armed violence and military conflict by the US, the Peace and Justice Studies program is becoming involved in contributing to campus and local community education. Board members have been in contact with representatives of local peace movements to spread information about nonviolent and other peace-related strategies. For his internship seminar on Transnational Social Movement Strategies, Bryan has been using material from local anti-war movements.
Peace and Justice Studies' next effort is titled "Music for a Culture of Peace," and will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. in the Music Department Parlor (20 Professors Row). The event will include brunch, an informal discussion, and music. It features Professors John McDonald and Idella Johnson, Seth Markle (LA '00) from the Nia Project, and lecturer Michael McLaughlin.
