Open dialogue necessary

The protest against a war with Iraq yesterday was true to its intentions, bringing together concerned students and faculty in a vocal display questioning the intentions of the country's leadership as it appears headed for yet another war. But while the event may have bolstered support from those already involved in the Coalition (not to be confused with any other coalitions), the rally mainly involved preaching to the choir.

Of course, political activism is always preferable to general apathy, and protests against war have a particularly important history in America. It is both unwise and dangerous not to question one's government, especially with such a major issue at hand.

And maybe the demonstration yesterday managed to capture the interest of a few students unassociated with the cause. But if the library protest is the coalition's only significant effort, it will ultimately fail in its purpose.

Campus demonstrations often run the risk of being ignored because they appear too liberal, or because they typically consist of the same cast of characters. More aware students should easily have placed activist figureheads like Liz Ammons and Gary Leupp at yesterday's event, as they are never far from any type of protest at Tufts.

The chanting and marching on the quad was eye-catching, but a necessary follow-up should be for the discussion to be taken into an academic setting. The more diverse classroom atmosphere is unarguably a better place for a real exchange of ideas, whereas Coalition events tend to exclude those who disagree.

Professors also shouldn't be afraid of expressing their own opinions in class, so long as they welcome opposing viewpoints. The Coalition is to be applauded for initiating a campus dialogue, but further exploration of the Iraq issue must be conducted with open minds and a recognition that disagreement is healthy.