As the new school year begins, I’d like to address the issues of activism and protest. Across the country, we’ve seen more and more people, and particularly college students, express their opinions and beliefs in a variety of ways. To engage in civil discussion, debate, or protest can be a good thing for our society, and Fort Lewis College supports those who wish to express themselves through lawful means.
However, FLC does not support those who would use violence or the threat of violence to either advance their own views or suppress the views of others. As Gandhi said, “I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.”
I hope that as we advocate for what we believe we do not fall into the trap of viewing those who feel differently as the villain or the enemy. Common ground and cooperation will always be a more effective means of combating the problems we face today, and if we see each other as enemies it is very difficult to overcome that prism we’ve created for ourselves and reach for anything higher.
What we need is leaders, and I return to the words of Gandhi: “I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people.”
Sincerely,
Dene Thomas
President, Fort Lewis College