In light of the recent video by our Student Senate President concerning the on going issues in Gaza and Palestine, I believe it is important for all students and faculty to recognize the fact that as private citizens of the United States, anyone has every right to express their own opinions and concerns in whatever manner they see fit.
However as an elected representative of the entire student body—it is only logical and ethical that you are held accountable for your actions performed in such an office, especially as OU Student Senate has always maintained that it is the voice for all students. As Ms. Marzec irrefutably identified herself “as student senate president” in her aforementioned video and indeed claimed to voice “student concern” on the issue, it is an undeniable fact that whether she meant it or not, she made an attempt to appear to represent our student body through her role as a student representative when she decided to post that video.
So I believe, as a proud member of the Ohio University student body, that I humbly echo the sentiments of many when I say that I reject any notion that Ms. Marzec’s ideals on the matter are any representation of my own or of myself. Actions and rhetoric that encourage isolation and ultimately polarization of any party by grossly distorting the facts or simply creating them altogether (e.g. that Israel is conducting or has conducted an act of genocide in the Gaza strip) can only ever lead to the continuation of this conflict. Therefore I cannot not, will not, and will never accept anyone who would endorse such acts as any fit representative of mine.
But while a debate on Israeli-Palestinian politics would be as exciting for me (alas, as a voracious student of international relations, I am regrettably one of those people) as it would no doubt, if I may suggest, be beneficial for our student president to not only express her opinions but hear those of others, I fear it would be impudent of me to demand of the Post the massive column space needed to do such a conversation justice.
In lieu of such exchange I encourage all my fellow students to not to divide our community and head down the dark path that we will follow should we seek a policy of boycott with Israel, a nation which has given us so much, and the Israeli educational community. Such a path would be lit only by those pyres of understanding and the conflagrations of hatred that history so warns us about and whose light I fear would be our only reward.
Instead I challenge you all, from one student to many, to reject those ideas that would divide us and seek instead the progressive, dynamic and productive conversation and action this world so desperately needs. For those of you looking for a start on such an opportunity, the upcoming UCM interfaith peace walk is an excellent time for all to come together in a display of solidarity in the pursuit of a better world. There one can engage with representatives from all faiths and organizations such as the staff and students of Hillel’s OU chapter, who I have always found to be a welcoming resource on such matters for all students of any religious faith.
But whatever we should choose let us all remember this. As the newest generation of world citizens, the chance to make a difference rests solely on our shoulders. With cooperation, understanding, hard work and determination, I have every confidence that we as Bobcats can all rise to this challenge and leave the world a better place than we found it.
Robert Burke is an student at Ohio University.
