Re: Responses to Terrorism

[Libby Miles <emi6423u@POSTOFFICE.URI.EDU>]

In light of all the horribleness of yesterday, I was thankful for
people who made me particularly proud:

* my 101 students, all of whom came to my morning class to make sense of
what was happening -- not from the "beautiful callousness of youth" as one
colleague has put it, but rather from a need for community, connection,
and continuity. We discussed what was happening as it was happening, and
found ways to keep going with our assignment while being mindful and
respectful of the larger world events.

* my 301 students, all of whom came to class because they didn't really
know where else to go but knew they needed to go somewhere seemingly safe
and structured. The class focus has been on community service and
sustainability, and these students easily made the link between the
morning's events and the matter of sustainability on our planet. It was a
moving class discussion, and we ended the period by walking across campus
to a photo exhibit on sustainability in North America.  Soon, they will
propose the community service projects our whole class will embrace, and
several students have disaster relief projects in mind.

* our university president, who made the call *not* to cancel classes in
order to encourage the very sense of community my students seemed to need.
In his announcements, he encouraged those of us who could stay on campus
to do so, while acknowledging that others (students, faculty, and staff)
would need to attend to their families and other loved ones.

* my graduate students in the Writing Center, who made the appropriate
choice to close the door and attend to their families (many in the Boston
area). With me in class, somebody else had to make the call -- and did.

* our multi-cultural center, which became a gathering place in the late
afternoon. The president, provost, and our dean spoke again of our
important role in keeping ourselves going so our students would have the
support they need. Later, they sponsored a vigil.

* the director of our child development center, who issued a letter to
parents encouraging appropriate choices we could make on behalf of our
small children. She suggested specific language choices for talking about
the tragedies, and emphasized the 3-5-year old view of the world: the need
for personal safety and the security of those they love. Her letter was an
important reminder for us to meet all of our students -- regardless of age
-- where they are in their development, and to provide what is
appropriate. It's not callousness; it's developmentally appropriate
practice.

* Raul's remarkable post to WPA-L. With sensitivity and grace, Raul voiced
my concerns much better than I would have been able to.

Here in Rhode Island, snuggled between New York and Boston, populated by
students from Manhattan and New Jersey, we made it through yesterday. Some
people, many people, now know their families and friends are safe; a few
know people who were on those 4 planes; some simply don't know yet and are
still waiting. We made it through yesterday, but today and tomorrow and
the next day seem more challenging. The need for community, continuity,
and connection is so much more acute now.

Wishing peace for all,
Libby