Campus reacts to Dr. Aronson's convo lecture
Chelsea Mitchell
Arts and Entertainment Editor
Carroll students experienced some good old fashioned ‘chutzpah’ in Main Hall on Monday April 21.
Over 240 students from both Carroll and UWM gathered to hear Dr. Shlomo Aronson deliver his lecture entitled, “From the Holocaust to the Modern Middle East: Challenges and Opportunities.” This convocation opportunity was the first installment in the Delta Rho Upsilon Fraternity’s Convocation series, made possible by president Jacob Velleman.
Velleman, after interning in Washington D.C. this past summer, decided to apply for The Traveling Israeli’s Scholar Grant, sponsored by The Israel on Campus Coalition, in order to fund Dr. Aronson’s lecture.
Dr. Aronson is a world renowned Holocaust scholar and Middle East expert. Born in Israel during the British occupation, or British Mandate, Aronson studied at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the University of Munich and the Free University of Berlin.
A professor in the department of political science at Hebrew University, Dr. Aronson has been a visiting scholar at several American educational institutions including the University of California Los Angeles, the Brookings Institution and the U.S. Library of Congress, where he lectured on Israel’s 50th anniversary.
It was standing room only as Dr. Aronson, a distinguished elderly man, with large glasses and a thick accent, approached the podium. His lecture discussed the origin of Israel in regards to Zionism, or the belief that Israelis should have their own independent state.
Dr. Aronson’s lecture illustrated the persecution the Jews have faced throughout history, dating back to Biblical times continuing through the present day conflicts with their Arab neighbors.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complicated political and religious issue, which Dr. Aronson attempted to educate students on in a little over an hour. His resonating conclusion about Israel’s future within the conflict was, “Everyone has to take care of their own interests. We have to rely on our own interests.”
Aronson mentioned that because Israel is a nuclear power they have the power to obliterate Arab countries ten times over. The problem is not Israel’s.
“The issue of Islam itself is a problem,” Aronson stated in his lecture. “Judaism was able to adopt a more westernized way of life. Islam is capable of modernizing, but it’s not our problem.”
“The problem with his lecture was that it didn’t reach out to the other side at all,” Nicholas Roberts assistant visiting history professor at Carroll College stated. “He said that because Israel had nuclear weapons, the Palestinians are forced to change. We should be spreading a message of diplomacy regarding this conflict. His lecture was not a message of hope.”
Students agreed with Roberts in regards to the biased nature of the lecture.
“I heard a certain double language in which any action taken by Israel is good, while the same action taken by any other country against Israel is the most evil thing that can be done,” stated French exchange student, Philippe Romero.
“Nevertheless, I think that this kind of conference can be excellent for the general culture of students at Carroll,” Romero continued. “I think it can open their perspective. I just believe that, in the future, the speakers should be chosen more carefully.”
Velleman recognized Aronson’s bias, but felt that it was important for students to understand at least one perspective on the conflict.
“Dr. Aronson has strong personal convictions which stem from his experience,” he stated. “Many students commented to me that they believe these are the types of speakers Carroll should host. They spark debate and offer a unique point of view.”
“Convocations are supposed to spark controversy. With controversy comes debate, and debate sparks intellectual thought,” Matthew Kramer-Morning, Delta Rho Upsilon member who was integral in planning the event, stated. “After the lecture, students should have taken the initiative to research other viewpoints. Jake and I are just two students. We can’t be expected to teach a whole class on the subject.”
Amid the strong feelings, both Carroll students agreed that Dr. Aronson’s perspective was a necessary addition to the campus environment.
“I appreciate the gravity of the conflict,” junior Mark Gauger stated. “And I appreciate the school bringing people like Dr. Aronson to speak.”
“The college is absent of Middle East speakers,” Kramer-Morning stated. “I think it is good that students at least got one perspective.”
Due to the overwhelming turnout, Velleman and the men of Delta Rho Upsilon are attempting to bring more speakers to campus.
“Delta Rho Upsilon is indeed planning additional convocation opportunities for the next semester,” Velleman stated. “We are actively pursuing speakers from the world of sports, business, and environmental activism.”