The majority of people in attendance were opposed to U.S. military action, but those in favor were welcomed to the discussion as well.
Ben Falby '03, a member of the PSA, facilitated the discussion, which began with a few individuals presenting prepared ideas–either their personal thoughts or writings of other authors.
The discussion was an emotional one. Students and faculty sat in silence as they listened to their peers' personal experiences and feelings.
Falby started the reflection by reading an article from USA Today. Falby, who was in Miami when the war started, said he was appalled by the population's apathy. "I expected to see hanging faces, or something, anything so I knew people cared. In Miami, people had their minds on the sun," he said.
Falby said he wants people to feel the war, though he understands that many people believe the war is completely legitimate. "It is much easier for me to feel this war when I know other people are feeling it too," he said.
Professor of English Barry O'Connell encouraged attendees to continue their protest efforts. "It is important to be clear that the protests of the last month have made a huge difference," he said. According to O'Connell, it is particularly important to note that the protests helped prevent the UN from legitimizing the actions of the American leadership. Keeping the bigger picture in perspective is essential, he said. "Do not believe that because you can not see clear or immediate results that political action does not make a difference," he said. "It does."
Falby then posed a question for discussion-he asked how individual lives have changed on a daily basis as a result of the military action. A number of students and professors shared personal stories about the influence the war has had on them and their families, while others shared their general beliefs.
Leora Maccabee '05 mentioned that it is easy to forget about the war while living in the bubble of a college campus. "It is dangerous that we can live so peacefully while war is going on," she said. She said that aside from the assortment of red socks scattered across the campus as an anti-war statement, somebody who did not know that there was a war going on would not be able to tell from the state of the campus.
Naomi Ross '06 shared Maccabee's views. Ross was on vacation when she first learned about the initial attacks. She said was struck by how few people discussed the events. Ross said she hoped that people would start learning about what is going on and discussing it with their peers.
Though the discussion was relatively one sided, Jack Morgan '05 expressed his moderate views of the military action. "I am not in favor of the Bush administration's tact. It will affect all of us in years to come," he said. Still, he encouraged individuals who are opposed to the war to "shout it openly."
Throughout the discussion, students and faculty alike shed tears and exhibited a few verbal outbursts of emotion.
Falby closed the discussion with a reiteration of his thanks to those who attended, particularly those in favor of the war. Although the comments were primarily opposed to President Bush's foreign policy, Falby united everybody's views with a single sentence. "Everybody here in this room cares about what's going on."
In addition to organizing this meeting, the PSA is also encouraging students to sign up to attend an anti-war rally in Boston.
The Amherst College Democrats tabled in Keefe Campus Center yesterday, distributing yellow ribbons to express support for the troops and providing students with news articles relating to the war.
The UMass Anti-War Coalition has organized a march from the UMass Student Union to Amherst this Thursday. According to a posting on the Daily Jolt, "students from Hampshire and Amherst Colleges and Amherst Regional High School will join UMass students" in the march.