Continuing the Work of Understanding and Ending Violence

Dear Friends,

I have few words to describe the violence in Israel and Palestine this fall. Together with war in Ukraine, state-sponsored violence in Nigeria, continued mass shootings in the United States, and other violent eruptions the world over, these events reveal the continued power of oppressive ideologies and an addiction to violence that neither catastrophic loss of human life nor tremendous suffering sate. Perhaps most unsettling has been how quickly and unequivocally so many people have insisted that more violence is the only way to respond.

Here at Smith, I have been encouraged by the conversations that have moved us toward understanding; I have been inspired by the commitment of those with different perspectives to still support each other; and I have been buoyed by the vigils, meals, programming, and courses that affirm that gathering together and education can help us manifest a more just world. As we continue to acknowledge and respond to the suffering that acts of violence cause, we recommit ourselves to finding alternatives to it. When we return from winter break, there will be a number of additional opportunities to continue on this trajectory we’ve begun.

This work happens first and foremost in the classroom. Many academic departments at Smith cover topics that can help us understand the context in which the current conflict in Israel and Palestine is occurring, including the departments of Anthropology, Government, History, Jewish Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Sociology, World Literatures, and others. In addition to courses offered at Smith, the other four colleges in the Five College Consortium have many courses on these topics.

Beyond the classroom, we will hold a conversation for Smith’s on-campus community between Justin Cammy, Professor of Jewish Studies and World Literatures, and Suleiman Ali Mourad, Myra M. Sampson Professor of Religion, and moderated by Darcy Buerkle, Professor of History, in which they will explore antisemitism and anti-Muslim and anti-Arab prejudice. It will be held on Thursday, February 15, at 4:30 p.m. in Sweeney Concert Hall.

Before we depart for winter break, members of the Smith community are invited to join Director of Religious & Spiritual Life and College Chaplain Matilda Cantwell at a meditative Generating Justice and Joy gathering in the Helen Hills Hills Chapel on Wednesday, December 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Arrive at 6:30 for meditation or 7:30 for conversation. All are invited to engage in either or both portions of the program on finding peace in the midst of violence and fear. And in the new year, there will be a Generating Justice Community Conversation on February 8.

I appreciate how difficult it can be, and what courage it can take, to express opinions that may go against housemates, teammates, classmates, or colleagues. Nevertheless, during this difficult time, I call on all Smith students, faculty, and staff to act in a way that expresses support for each person’s right to be in this community, holds a place for everyone’s beliefs, and underscores our mutual obligation to respect each other. One aspect of our work in challenging times is to grow our courage by having respectful conversations with those whose life experiences and opinions differ from ours.

At the same time, violence and threats of violence are never acceptable at Smith College. I urge anyone with concerns regarding physical safety to report them promptly to the Campus Safety Department at 413-585-5555. Campus Safety has trained professionals who are dedicated to the safety and welfare of the campus community and are able to respond immediately to calls. The department also oversees a number of initiatives that include providing escorts to walk people to their destinations, emergency call boxes (identifiable by the blue light on top), and campus safety patrols. Campus Safety is also increasing its foot patrols for particular events.

Winter break offers us space to think about the promise of peace and the world we want to create. It is more automatic to think of what we want others to do—to stop assuming things about us, harming us, stereotyping us, to see us as individuals worthy of empathy, respect the groups to which we belong, speak up for us, and to listen when we share our histories, to give us the benefit of the doubt, make space for our rage, and soothe our pain. Less automatic is to consider, as individuals and groups, what we can do—how we can listen, consider, and make space—and who we can be, what world we want to build, how we will get there, and what it will look like when we arrive.

At Smith, we must be able to explore the root causes of seemingly intractable problems, express skepticism, challenge the taken-for-granted narratives we have inherited, and engage each other without fear of retribution or incivility. May the opportunities described above give us confidence that together we can gain the knowledge and practice the behaviors that move us toward the world we imagine.

Wishing you each a winter break that allows for rest and reflection,

Sarah Willie-LeBreton
President