In my short time at Dartmouth, I have yet to see a major protest on the Green for some internationally relevant issue. I really don't mind. It would probably be loud and some sort of burden. Many people on campus, such as Sam Buntz '11 ("Blood, Toil, Sweat and Apathy," Sept. 28), have seen this as a serious flaw with the student body. They say that we don't care about the poor, the weak, those without freedom and, more specifically, our soldiers.
I say we just care in a different way. The fact is, the protest and march culture of the 1960s is dead and gone, and society is better for it. To attribute this inevitable death to the selfishness and apathy of students, specifically Dartmouth students, misinterprets the psychology of the average member of the student body. Instead of insulting the students, we should be more apathetic about being apathetic.
Dartmouth students are not likely to be responsible for the end of the war in Afghanistan. This is true for a few main reasons: first, we will just be considered that one weird school that still has marches and signs and protests while all other schools recognize their limits. Second, marches and protests were not entirely responsible for the end of Vietnam. This is a drastic oversimplification of a major political and military decision. This may seem an unreasonable expectation of protesters. Most probably do not believe that their protests will be single-handedly or even partially responsible for ending something with such high importance. If this is the case, however, then perhaps we should worry about actually having an impact instead of attempting to salvage our consciences.
I recognize that college is a place of open minds and growth and change and all that good stuff. I get it. I also believe, however, that we should draw the line before we look silly. We all love making phone calls for politicians and putting bumper stickers on our cars which influences national politics but that at some point we must recognize that we are not going to end wars or at least immediately impact international policy. We are not going to jolt a third world country into liberal democracy, at least not now. I am sorry for being a pessimist or defeatist. But rather than writing columns demanding that the students of Dartmouth do exactly these things, we should encourage basic participation in groups that have important, though not necessarily earth-shattering, effects.
As students of one of the best colleges in the world, we should use our intellects and resources to make a difference when we have the capability to do so. Dartmouth definitely does this. Just look in your Blitz inbox. There must be at least 397 groups on campus with a very specific purpose involving helping the underprivileged. These range from blood drives to sustainability to help for women who want to enter business. Various organizations offer students the opportunity to travel to some area of the world and help those in need through education, medicine, etc. Moreover, if you want to help the soldiers in Afghanistan, you should send care packages and letters and you can even start your own group to accomplish this worthwhile goal. All of these groups, both individually and collectively, are vital as part of the Dartmouth community and as sources of practical benefits.
Yes, Buntz is right when he says that there have not been any mass protests on the Green for the soldiers in Afghanistan. It is, however, a massive step with a tenuous connection to then say that Dartmouth students simply do not care. We just choose when and how to care. When we see the opportunity to make a significant impact, we will take it. Look to the example of Haiti relief when the community was able to raise a large sum of money and sent literally tons of medical supplies to assist the people there. It is in circumstances like these that we can truly achieve something.
If 20 passionate Dartmouth students want to scream down Pennsylvania Avenue demanding that we leave Afghanistan, they are welcome to do so. But their voices will almost certainly matter more here in Hanover. Here they can make a difference instead by working on local sustainability issues, New Hampshire or Vermont politics and defending the fraternities against Hanover Police. I assure you, your voices will not only be heard, but results will be seen.
