Cutting Peace -- A Jesuit University’s Contradiction

“I have little taste for academic dust-ups like this. So why bother? First, I am deeply touched by the affection and loyal support so many students have shown to me. Some are angry that a peace and justice course is being dropped by a Jesuit university that sells itself as a champion of peace and justice. Others are dismayed or puzzled. A random few are cynical: naturally a peace course is cut, this is Georgetown, what do you expect? Whatever their reaction, I’m grateful that students have appreciated my efforts to make the literature of peace relevant to their personal lives and spiritual lives. For me to slink off while students protest would dishonor their idealism. It would send a message: don’t stand up for what your conscience tells you is right, let those in power push you around.”

“Sure, I’d be glad to teach without being paid. I’ve done that since 1982 at several DC public high schools, so it’s nothing new. It’s odd. Georgetown administrators urge students to volunteer in programs like DC Reads and Habitat for Humanity. But now that an adjunct professor wants to volunteer, it’s called a bad precedent.”

“Jesuit schools like Georgetown have many achievements to be proud of, but peace education isn’t one of them. All too often, their students graduate as peace illiterates. Perhaps it’s because Catholicism itself is not a peace church as are the pacifist Quakers, Mennonites, Brethren and Bruderhofs. At Georgetown, peace courses are a gourmet item—a side dish for a limited few and not like a full-meal degree program for the unlimited many in the business or foreign service schools.”

“I have always been loyal to the Jesuits, having gone to a Jesuit college and been grateful for the experience. In my Georgetown classes, I make sure students know about authentic Jesuit peacemakers like Daniel Berrigan, John Dear. Robert Drinan, Richard McSorely, Rutilio Grande, Angelo D’Agostino.. It’s worth wondering: how many students in next month’s graduating class will be knowledgeable about these truly great peacemakers? You’d think as a matter of mere justified pride, Georgetown would offer a course or two on Contemporary Jesuit Peacemakers. Instead , the academic trumpets blare loudly when a Madeleine Albright, George (Slam Dunk) Tenet, Jeane Kirkpatrick or Paul Begala are invited to teach.”

“Funds are being raised to build a new $100 million business school. Why not a $100 million campaign for a peace studies building? Isn’t creating a peaceful world and living a peaceful life the number one goal of everyone? Students could be recruited: come to Georgetown and we’ll teach you how to become a peacemaker. Instead, with a bigger business school, the message is: come to Georgetown, we’ll teach you how to become a CEO.”