This January, the Amherst College Board of Trustees voted to refrain from directly investing in any international corporations that have been identified as doing business with the genocidal Sudanese government. In addition, the Board voted to communicate their stance to the managers of the hedge funds in which the College has investments. This important decision came about as a result of a collaboration between the Board, President Marx and a large group of committed students.

The Board's decision could not have come about if these students had not, drawing inspiration from the divestment movement mounted against apartheid South Africa in the 1980s, pushed for the College to take action against the tragedy that continues in Darfur; if President Marx had not worked with the students to craft a proposal for such action; and if the Trustees had not been willing to commit Amherst to a course that recognizes the supremacy of certain moral concerns over the basic self-interest of the school. This is the best example of the College working as an institution toward a goal that inspires pride, and it succeeded.

If we want to see change in the world, we must realize that we can affect it, if only slightly, in collaboration with those immediately around us. The Amherst movement against genocide continues: its goals now include persuading other institutions (including TIAA-CREF, the Amherst professor pension fund, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) to follow our lead in divesting from the corporations that fund the genocide and to promote lobbying the United States government to take more direct action against the atrocities being committed in Darfur. Provided that we work together, these goals are within our reach.

Spencer Robins '08

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"Monologues" was great and not to be missed

Although I am an ardent feminist, the "Vagina Monologues" never really appealed to me-the thought of spending two hours listening to people talk about their vaginas was not my idea of a good time. But I'd always felt it was one of those things I "should" do eventually, so I finally watched the "Monologues" last weekend after putting it off for the past three years. I laughed, I cried and I immediately wished I weren't a senior so I could be in them next year. Drat.

I couldn't relate personally to all of the sections. I've never met a Bob, or been picked up by a 24-year-old yuppie lesbian. The "Monologues" did, however, get me thinking about my own experiences-and not just as a woman, but as a human being. I consider myself a pretty open person, but even I was impressed by how frank and straightforward the "Monologues" were. Still more amazingly, they didn't pass judgment. The "Monologues" spoke out against shame and violence, but beyond that, they seemed to embrace the fact that all people have different experiences. (Including male people, although of course women were the focus here.)

I wouldn't go so far as to declare that I am a changed person because of the "Monologues." Nothing so dramatic. I will say, though, that it was a one-of-a-kind experience: sympathetic, cathartic and above all, just plain enjoyable. I urge anyone and everyone to see the show next year. You'll come out a happier person.

Oh, and all the proceeds went to a good cause, too.

Angie J. Han '06