MWCC Community Considers Responses to Middle East Conflict
By Amal Elkhoury | Observer Contributor
Following the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7th, the MWCC community is considering how best to navigate the difficult discussions that have arisen. Students must balance the emotional toll of a foreign battle with their academic challenges, and many National Guard members are anxious about being called out to fight. However, MWCC President James Vander Hooven has not yet issued an official statement for impacted students.
When asked why, Vander Hooven said, “I readily acknowledge that I have not specified an event. I also did not send a message specific to the war in Ukraine or conflicts in Africa. But…the mental health of our students and employees is extremely important to me.”
His concern for the myriad of ongoing world events led him to hold the Community Conversation with the President event on October 26th, stating, “The intent of that conversation was to begin a dialogue on a local level on how we can begin to appreciate the humanity of one another.”
Certain communities have felt particularly impacted by the conflict in the Middle East, including Jewish and Muslim communities, as well as those of Middle Eastern descent. Studies show that there are over 3.45 million Muslims living in the United States, with over 130,000 in Massachusetts alone. The Jewish population in the United States was estimated to be around 7.5 million, with 301,880 in Massachusetts according to World Population Review. In 2021, the population of Massachusetts was approximately 6.9 million, including about 80,000 individuals of Middle Eastern descent and 293,000 Israeli-Americans in the state.
Some students note that diversity can provide difficulties in addition to being an obvious source of strength. When asked about the potential impact of the ongoing conflict, Desiree Leader, a student at MWCC, reflected on the diversity within the MWCC community. She noted, “There can always be issues for people here (the U.S.) because there is such a mix of cultures.”
Unlike larger institutions like Harvard, MWCC leadership has not issued an official written statement regarding the conflict. MWCC’s Dean of Students, Jason Zelesky, acknowledged how difficult it can be to know how best to respond, saying, “It’s this really powerful tool when we drop into someone’s inbox [with an] important message from the president, and [if] it’s a message about people dying…I don’t know how that’s going to land with people.”
Regarding a statement, a concern that Zelesky had was, “Does this minimize the issue that we’re talking about? But then [if we] don’t issue a statement on another issue…you are maybe accidentally editorializing what is more or less important.”
Although some students may not have a direct connection to what is happening in the Middle East, they still feel the effects. Madison Mills, a Humanities major at the Mount, said, “I don’t think I am directly affected by it, but I feel it is affecting my mental health.” In today’s society, where information, misinformation, and news travel instantaneously through various media channels, students like Mills are exposed to a constant stream of updates and images showing the often distressing events in the Middle East.
The administration is also aware that members of the National Guard might be affected by the issue. When asked, Zelesky said, “We have students here who are nervous or concerned that they may be activated if the United States enters the conflict in a formal way.” The uncertainty of the situation can weigh heavily on the minds of these students, affecting not only their academic pursuits but also their overall well-being.
MWCC does offer resources for supporting its affected students, however. The Student Services Department offers rooms inside the Student Center for those who may be facing challenges and need to relax. Students who need a designated space to address mental health needs and take a break from their academic responsibilities can reserve a room for 30 minutes each day. These rooms provide comfortable chairs, a desk for focused work or relaxation, and even coloring books, creating a peaceful environment where students can unwind and recharge.
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