There are many people who have voiced concerns about the proposed "day of non-cooperation" on Thursday, April 19. Some believe that "not-learning" is counterproductive, and proves nothing. Others think that faculty participation is bad because if a professor chooses not to teach class even those who weren't originally planning to "not cooperate" will be forced to miss class. Still others believe that this day of non-cooperation conflicts with April Open House, and will send a bad message to prospective students.
I strongly disagree with all of these views.
"NOT learning," (in addition to not-cooperating in other endeavors) for a day is an absolutely legitimate and effective way to protest the war. The idea of a protest is to speak out by doing something that is not normally done, and for most of us, going to our classes and learning is a daily activity. By not going to classes, not going out to eat, not going to work and simply not doing the things that we normally do, we are sending a message that we are willing to interrupt our daily lives for something we believe in.
In the March 29 Tufts Daily article, "Faculty discusses protest, proposals", professor of philosophy Daniel Dennett proposed a teach-in, as opposed to a "walk-out" (non-cooperation). He believes that it will be more meaningful.
I disagree. Perhaps in some ways it could be meaningful for us, the students and teachers, who would be participating in the teach-in and who really value education; however, the whole purpose of non-cooperation is to send a message to the entire community and to act specifically in response to the war.
People will be more likely to feel an impact from seeing students, professors and faculty not going to class, not going to work, etc. in protest of the war, than simply hearing about how they learned for hours on end.
Although I like going to class, and see education as the most powerful path to peace, the fact is we get educated every day, and it would be more meaningful for us to take one day to talk to others and also reflect on our own specifically about our views on the war, rather than spend a few extra hours learning about quantum-mechanical modeling and linear algebra during a teach-in.
Involving the faculty (if they want to participate) is extremely important as well. It sends the message that the Tufts community disagrees with our government's actions - it shows that our entire school is walking out on the war, NOT that students are walking out on professors nor walking out on learning.
If some professors choose not to walk out that is fine, but they need to be allowed to "not-cooperate" without penalty, just like the students. To be mad that you will be unable to attend class if your professor "non-cooperates" is extremely selfish; here you are complaining about missing a day of classes, while there are soldiers and refugees dying for absolutely no discernable reason half way around the world. People like you and me are dying because those in power, who have immense means to do good - means that we, the American people fund with our taxes - choose to bring death rather than prevent it.
If you are unwilling to see this you appear to have no idea how good you have it. Understand: Ignorance and indifference are anything but bliss.
The only change that I think should be made to the day of non-cooperation is the date. While I personally think it would be extremely impressive if I were a prospective student and saw the entire school come together to take action and speak out, I do also think that these prospective freshman should get the opportunity to attend some classes.
Why not make the best of both worlds? Why not push the date from April 19 to April 20? This would give the perspectives a chance to go to class on Thursday (when there are more classes to attend than on Friday anyway), and still see or take part in the non-cooperation on Friday.
After all, as Gabe Frumkin, member of Tufts Action for Peace (the group that proposed the day of non-cooperation) said in the March 29 Daily, "A very important part of Tufts to me is the very dedicated faculty body and student body that [take] action on important current issues of our day." Demonstrating this facet of Tufts during April Open House provides an invaluable experience to anyone who is thinking of becoming a Jumbo in the fall.
In addition, for many people, myself included, Friday, April 20, is already an international holiday that, overall, stands for peace and harmony in the world, and goes hand in hand with defiance to many of the appalling actions and decisions of the U.S. government.
Some may be concerned that a protest on 4/20 will not be taken seriously because of the day's association with marijuana usage. Don't be fooled by that view. While for some of us pot will be a facet of April 20, it will not be the only facet. When the majority of the members of a prestigious university community - professors, students and faculty included - show that they believe in something through mass non-cooperation, they will be taken seriously regardless of the date or any notions associated with it.
People will understand that the day is about more than smoking and hanging out, even if for some it is about that too. The truth is, having the day of non-cooperation on April 20 is just a natural choice, and it makes an already meaningful day all the more powerful. More powerful, and more practical.
Perhaps in the future the university can substitute one day of panels, lectures and events related to various anti-war, anti-violence, pro-peace sentiments open to the entire community for one day of classes. However, for now, as an extremely meaningful first step, a day of non-cooperation is not simply worth doing but too important not to do.
Dan Hurwit is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major.
