This post is written by UHPer Jacob Pavlik about a recent Professors on the Town trip, where Honors students experience classroom topics come to life at events and locations all throughout DC.
Someone described as “Hopeful and wise” by President Bill Clinton yet “not very bright [and] opposed to civil liberties” by Noam Chomsky is bound to give a thrilling presentation.
I and thirteen of my comrades in Professor Christov’s Justice class attended the Alan Dershowitz discussion sponsored by Politics and Prose. People disagree quite strongly about this man who has been called “astonishingly brilliant,” “evil,” “deranged,” “deeply thoughtful,” “a war criminal,” and “a sober and pragmatic voice for peace.” There is a lot of noise surrounding his activities, and listening to his conversation with President Emeritus Trachtenberg clarified how one person can garner such a bifurcated reputation.
We learned that he was the student we Honors kids were tutored to no avail in high school. GW would not have even read his application, let alone admit him (especially in light of recent need-aware revelations… Bazinga!) I find it comforting to know that grades do not determine success, but as I’m sure Catherine would chime in, “They do help sweetie, cuz duh.”
Mr. Dershowitz is a man with strong opinions about controversial issues. Hence the descriptions: evil, deranged, and a war criminal. I hope no one avoids taking controversial stances because one is afraid they will be called names. This “Professor on the Town” was great because we got to listen to a brilliant man with unabashed opinions on touchy subjects. He does not apologize because some of us disagree with him. That is the confidence that turns a C and D student into a lawyer. Hopefully our next seven semesters will give us half the confidence he has.
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