2008 Woodie Awards
Trinity leads in divestment, alum commends grassroots activism
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Opinion
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I am a Trinity alumnus currently working on Capitol Hill for the Friends Committee on National Legislation (Quakers). My experiences here have taught me many lessons about politics and life; for instance, I have learned when public officials act, their actions ought to be scrutinized publicly. Thus, I thank the Board of Trustees and University President John Brazil for their decision to divest Trinity's resources from Sudan. In doing so, Trinity has demonstrated to students, other universities, and the international community a serious commitment to stopping the genocide in Darfur.
Despite a difficult process to reach consensus on whether divestment was the correct course of action, the Board made the correct decision.
The genocide in Darfur has gone on for too long with a muted reaction from world leaders. The movement to stop the killing in Darfur is a significantly grassroots one, strongly driven by universities, churches and other community organizations. The hard work of students and other individuals around the country to call for action in Sudan is inspiring, given the amount of cynicism that runs through U.S. political discourse these days.
The Board's decision means Trinity can serve as an example to other universities around the country for many reasons. Foremost, Trinity has shown through this decision that despite popular concerns, it does not exist in a bubble. Dollars spent here affect what happens all around the world, and our university has decided not to ignore its responsibility to ensure that its investments are not aiding crimes against humanity. Trinity's divestment also proves that it is at the vanguard of higher education, as Trinity is the first university in Texas to divest from Sudan.
Furthermore, the method of Trinity's resistance to the genocide is noteworthy. Targeted divestment is one of many ways to oppose genocide nonviolently. While genocide occupies the very gray area where even the most ardent pacifists reconsider their beliefs, divestment allows people, corporations and countries to take a strong stance without resorting to violence.
Despite a difficult process to reach consensus on whether divestment was the correct course of action, the Board made the correct decision.
The genocide in Darfur has gone on for too long with a muted reaction from world leaders. The movement to stop the killing in Darfur is a significantly grassroots one, strongly driven by universities, churches and other community organizations. The hard work of students and other individuals around the country to call for action in Sudan is inspiring, given the amount of cynicism that runs through U.S. political discourse these days.
The Board's decision means Trinity can serve as an example to other universities around the country for many reasons. Foremost, Trinity has shown through this decision that despite popular concerns, it does not exist in a bubble. Dollars spent here affect what happens all around the world, and our university has decided not to ignore its responsibility to ensure that its investments are not aiding crimes against humanity. Trinity's divestment also proves that it is at the vanguard of higher education, as Trinity is the first university in Texas to divest from Sudan.
Furthermore, the method of Trinity's resistance to the genocide is noteworthy. Targeted divestment is one of many ways to oppose genocide nonviolently. While genocide occupies the very gray area where even the most ardent pacifists reconsider their beliefs, divestment allows people, corporations and countries to take a strong stance without resorting to violence.
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