The Ivy Shelter

To the editors:

One week has passed since the most destructive attack in American history. In that week, only four percent of the rubble has been cleared from lower Manhattan. Meanwhile, one hundred percent of the reality that may have existed among Harvard students has been demolished. According to “Finding a Lasting Peace,” Heather B. Long ’03 is more captivated with the search for an emotional understanding of terrorism than with the effort to prevent terrorist acts in the future (Op-Ed, Sept. 18).

I do not wish to comment upon Long’s assertion that war is an incorrect response nor do I wish to offer some grand, lasting solution. I would merely like to comment upon the state of our campus and our campus media.

Simply, Harvard is out of touch with reality. One week ago, terrorists destroyed thousands of lives, stole jobs from survivors, hijacked millions of dollars from America’s corporations, displaced thousands of families (including mine) and left all Americans with the realization that mass murderers really do live among us.

And yet at Harvard, after just one week, many students have moved on. They no longer worry about how New York City will recover and identify each victim. They have no concern for the city’s economic activity. They have abandoned thoughts of devising practical means to combat the future terrorist attacks, which now seem imminent. Instead, Harvard students are captivated by more interesting conflicts: What perceptions do terrorists have “of our country that would allow them to feel justified in seeking to destroy it.”

Apparently, to think about the reality of retribution and to feel real feelings of anger is incorrect. One week ago America was attacked, but today Harvard’s students have moved beyond petty thoughts. Today Harvard’s students do not feel pain and do not fear terrorists. Though they may be intrigued by the terrorist mind, they seem unwilling to admit to its full, terrifying potential.