Controversy!

Last week, the Political Science department sponsored a lecture by Stephen Walt, the infamous co-author of the highly controversial book The Israel Lobby. Regardless of their personal opinions on the subject, students packed Barnum Hall to hear Professor Walt's argument; in fact, the lecture hall filled up so fast that there was not only an overflow room in which students watched a live broadcast of the lecture, but the hallway outside the room was also packed with students simply listening.

Professor Stephen Walt speaking at Tufts on November 27th.
Media Credit: Aalok Kanani, Tufts Daily

Having speakers on campus such as Professor Walt exemplifies one of my favorite things about Tufts... the fact that students and faculty here are not only willing, but also excited to engage in the controversial. More so, this engagement is done in a thoughtful and intellectual way -- we are not a school at which you see violent protests and screaming matches, but, rather, thought-provoking dialogue that involves those from multiple perspectives.

For instance, the New Initiative for Middle East Peace (a student-run think tank that does some amazing work, such as sending students all over the Middle East to conduct research), as well as Friends of Israel and Hillel, held well-attended pre and post-lecture discussions on the contentious book. Even more telling was the general campus dialogue that surrounded the event, penetrating classes, the Daily and all other campus media, and the general conversation in dorms, dining halls, and on the Quad. Students wanted to talk about this controversial issue -- they didn't want to take Professor Walt's opinion, or anyone else's for that matter, at face value.

This discourse is still continuing on campus, even a week and a half after the original event. And I think that's pretty cool.

Oh, and a shameless plug: feel free to read my contribution to this discourse right here!