Conversation Beyond Demonstration

Yesterday's rally on Low Plaza marked the first of a week-long string of events organized by students to raise awareness of the recent conflict in Gaza. Though students with many differing opinions converged on the sundial, they remained civil as they sought to raise awareness about the Gaza crisis. While this event's tranquility was admirable, future rallies should take steps to promote active engagement between participants, especially when involved students represent opposing views.

After weeks of fighting in Gaza, Columbia students came together on Low Plaza to show their support not only for their preferred parties but also for a peaceful solution. The primary organizer of yesterday's events was LionPAC, a pro-Israel student group advocating an end to violence in the war-torn region. Students supporting Gaza held a simultaneous, informal counterrally. All the students managed to remain respectful of each others' opinions, a phenomenon often pushed aside in favor of more confrontational actions. However, the noticeable gap between the crowds highlighted the persisting schism between students with differing views.

Instead of a rally where participants remain separated by both their views and their physical locations, future rally leaders should strive to bridge the gap and encourage interaction through joint events like a student panel. This week's array of demonstrations could add to the long and worthy history of social activism at Columbia, much of which has consisted of the kind of dialogue and discussion necessary to advance understanding between opposing ideas. The series of debates addressing the potential return of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps to campus provides a model of the active exchange that future rallies should mirror. Without an opportunity for conversation and debate, rallies have the potential to become either ineffectual screaming matches or silent demonstrations that do not advance knowledge. Yesterday's demonstrations proved that students can come together peacefully, but simply showing up should be the first step and not the sole take-away.

For the sake of a campus where free speech and intellectual curiosity thrive, the rest of the week's planned demonstrations, rallies, and vigils must expand on yesterday's activities to achieve not only amicable activism, but sincere interaction and debate. It is fundamentally imperative to any student body as diverse as Columbia's to be able to understand and respect different viewpoints. Future rallies staged by Columbia students must do more than simply keep the peace—they must encourage open discussion and the cordial exchange of ideas.