The War at Harvard

Though yesterday marked just the first full day of conflict, the shadow of war has already begun to creep over Harvard.

Yesterday’s walk-out and protest drew the second-largest crowd in Harvard history (please see story, page 1).

Jessica M. Marglin ’06, who marched with the students yesterday afternoon, later attended a multi-faith meeting in Adams House dining hall.

That event, unlike the earlier protest, was designed to ease a strain on a community divided by politics.

Some fifty students joined together in prayer at the observance, sponsored by The United Ministry at Harvard and led by students. The Kuumba Singers opened and closed the service.

“Coming here is much more about connecting with other people and realizing even though there is all this turmoil there is this higher power,” Marglin said.

Though the event encouraged students of all political views to attend, Marglin said she did relate the readings to her own personal desire to resolve the war as quickly as possible.

Earlier this week, students convened in common rooms across the campus and at the Institute of Politics (IOP) to watch the Iraqi conflict unfold. Some students then stayed to discuss Bush’s ultimatum and the consequences of war on Iraq.

Aside from these organized meetings, students have been talking informally with each other about the war in Iraq over meals and in dorm rooms.

But with midterms, papers and the approach of spring break, this has been a difficult week for Harvard students to fully grasp the consequences of war.

“Chances are that it’s not going to affect my life all that much,” said Levine. “There is no draft, which is a good thing. However, I do expect to spend a fair amount of time talking about it, reading about it and watching it on TV—and in that sense, it will have a considerable effect on my life.”

Singh said that Harvard students are unsure what their role in the war is or should be.

“Should we just continue with our lives when there are so many at risk of losing their lives?” she asked.

Carlivati said that Harvard insulates its students.

“There’s so much going on,” she said. “I think it’s going to hit everyone a lot more when they are home with friends and family.”

—Staff writer Nalina Sombuntham can be reached at sombunth@fas.harvard.edu.