Source – San Diego Union-Tribune
Hanover, N.H. – In a bid to foster dialogue and understanding on challenging issues, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona engaged in a discussion at Dartmouth College with students, focusing on combating Islamophobia and antisemitism. The visit, part of Dartmouth Dialogues, aimed to provide a platform for the college community to tackle divisive topics and find common ground.
Dartmouth Dialogues, a recently launched initiative on campus, seeks to facilitate open conversations on contentious subjects where disagreements may arise. This week’s session concentrated on the Middle East, with a specific focus on the October 7th massacre in Israel. U.S. Education Secretary Cardona actively participated in the discussion, emphasizing a listening approach while absorbing the perspectives shared by students.
Campuses, including Dartmouth, could improve their handling of sensitive topics.
Sophomore Yasmine Abouali expressed the sentiment that campuses, including Dartmouth, could improve their handling of sensitive topics. Despite the emotionally charged nature of the subject, Dartmouth managed to sidestep the heated protests witnessed at other institutions. College officials attributed this to multiple forums held on campus in the aftermath of the terrorist attack, providing students with a safe and controlled environment to express their thoughts.
U.S. Education Secretary Cardona acknowledged the need for intentional efforts to foster respect for differences, framing it as a fundamental aspect of learning and growth. “We need to be intentional about respecting differences as a matter of fact learning and growing from different perspectives, and that is what our universities are designed for,” he remarked.
The Dartmouth community’s engagement in discussions on the Middle East reflects a broader societal trend, with the nation seemingly more polarized than ever. U.S. Education Secretary Cardona lamented the intentional efforts by some to deepen divisions, emphasizing the importance of universities in counteracting this trend.
Dartmouth College exemplifies a commitment to addressing divisive issues
Muhammad Faisal Azizi, a senior with roots in Afghanistan, emphasized the delicacy required when discussing contentious topics like the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. “Sometimes you have to be careful that you don’t hurt someone’s feelings. We have to act civilized. Ask questions that sound academic and not hostile,” he commented.
Dartmouth Dialogues aims to sustain these conversations, recognizing the importance of open dialogue. “I think it is important to talk, so I choose to. I choose to go out of my way to be involved in dialogue when I can,” stated Abouali, underlining the commitment to fostering understanding on campus.
Looking ahead, the conversation will persist at Dartmouth with a seminar on emotional intelligence, led by a Yale professor scheduled for the end of January. The ongoing efforts at Dartmouth College exemplify a commitment to addressing divisive issues through thoughtful and inclusive dialogue, reflecting the broader societal need for understanding and empathy.
