My journey at Tufts over the past four years has had a remarkable impact on my life. I am confident that the people I met at Miller Hall on my first day will be my lifelong friends. I have taken unique and insightful courses from amazing professors that I am proud to call my mentors. And I was able to study her two very different subjects: economics and Latin. Four years have passed since then, and the time has come to say goodbye. To close this chapter of my life, I would like to offer some final thoughts.
Participating in the Daily was one of the highlights of my senior year. After submitting several op-eds during my junior year, I officially joined the opinion department in the fall of 2023. I joined the company with little knowledge of the inner workings of the Daily, but was excited to learn more about journalism and meet new people.
Joining the Daily newspaper awakened my previously dormant political side. I found myself discussing various topics with most of my colleagues in the opinion section. Over time, I became more confident and learned to stand my ground when challenged. I sometimes receive feedback on my articles from members of the Tufts University community, including students, alumni, and parents. I am always grateful to know that people read my work, agree with my views, and value my contributions to the Tufts community. No matter what I was writing, the experienced members of The Daily provided me with valuable insight and feedback at every step of the writing process. Most importantly, they challenged many of my points, which ultimately made the final product so much stronger. Dear Mr. Daley — Thank you.
Having conservative views at Tufts means being in the minority. Earlier this semester, I wrote an article for the Daily Week Special Edition titled “On the Importance of Conservative Perspectives at Tufts.” In this deeply personal article, I reflected on the lack of conservative representation within the Daily (and Tufts as a whole), its effects, and possible remedies. Expressing conservative views in a largely liberal environment, especially in a public forum like the Daily, risks upsetting. Being a conservative at Tufts gave me the courage to be myself in the face of potential opposition. Conservative voices at Tufts University should not be stifled by opposing views. More conservative students should publicly communicate their perspectives to show the Tufts community that different perspectives are the norm and a healthy part of any academic environment.
Conservatives can stand their ground and defend their beliefs in a variety of ways. Our “Opinion” section in particular gives you the opportunity to write about anything from a unique perspective, including local, national, or Tufts-related news. I know that there are conservatives on campus who refrain from speaking out, perhaps for some of the reasons outlined above. I completely understand their hesitation. However, Tufts University has an obligation to provide an academic environment where diversity of perspectives is prioritized. If you're afraid to voice your opinion, find like-minded peers at Tufts. Over time, you will become more comfortable discussing your opinions publicly. As September approaches, I'm looking forward to visiting the Tufts Daily website and checking out the right-leaning opinion pieces.
In addition to my conservative perspective, many of the articles I've written have focused on the brutal Hamas attack on October 7, subsequent conflicts overseas, and the rise of anti-Semitism at home. I did. In doing so, he became closer to his fellow Jews. This bond was further strengthened by my increased engagement with Mr. Hillel and Mr. Chabad, particularly after his March 3 TCU Senate hearing.
The amount of anti-Semitism displayed at Tufts over the past month alone is astonishing. Students who say Tufts is complicit in genocide are camping in the academic quad with cardboard posters proudly displaying “From the River to the Sea.” Additionally, the National Students for Palestine Justice announced that Tufts SJP stands in solidarity with pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University. One protester displayed insensitive behavior, calling Jews “pigs” (a well-known anti-Semitic trope). Despite attempts by the Tufts administration to negotiate with the protesters, no agreement could be reached, and the protesters subsequently left the Academic Quad on the night of May 3. The next morning, workers lined up and began installing fencing around the Academic Quad, presumably for graduation ceremonies. along with the university's prior reasons for removing the encampment. While this is a short-term victory, the Tufts administration needs to do more to address and condemn acts of hate against Jewish students, starting with increased education about anti-Semitism. That being said, I'm glad the protesters dispersed.
Besides Daly, my time at Tufts was marked by many events, including COVID-19, new friends, and personal growth. As underclassmen, my colleagues and I were obsessed with surviving the pandemic, attending Zoom classes, and building some semblance of a social life. Four years later, we look back on 2020 and smile despite all the challenges we faced. I cannot imagine a world without the close friends I made at Tufts University. They motivated me during difficult times, showed kindness in every situation, and supported me with my studies and extracurricular activities.
In addition to those I met in the hallowed halls of Miller's basement, I became close to so many wonderful people at Tufts Hillel, Tufts Finance Group, Dailey, and the Tufts University Social Collective. I am grateful to all of them and to Tufts University, where I have grown so much as a person.
Pax and Lux.
