MSA Plans Protest Follow-Up

Several parents attending a Junior Parents' Weekend lecture on Saturday that was marked by minority students protests said they supported the efforts of the students, although some questioned the timing of the demonstration regarding ethnic studies.

At least one parent knew enough Harvard history to make comparisons with past demonstrations. From the so-called Diploma riot of 1961 to the student for a democratic Society (SDS) sit-in at University Hall in the spring of 1969, David Wizansky '60, father of Sasha R. Wizansky '95, knows his Harvard protests.

"I was gassed by police in Harvard Square in '68," Wizansky said in an interview prior to a Junior Parents Weekend lecture in the Science Center.

Wizansky said that during the SDS demonstration he "somehow wound up in thedean's office."

Although the minority students' protests aroundthe Science Center this past weekend were not asdramatic as the University Hall takeover, theystill succeeded in drawing Wizansky's attentionand support.

"If [the protesters] intent was forming analliance with people like me, then theysucceeded," Wizansky said.

He said he felt the present students' "morerational approach" to student activism is betterthan the more radical approach used in the '60s.

For the most part, parents said they sharedWizansky's enthusiasm for the protesters effort,even if they did not necessarily support thecause.

"I think it's great," said Louis F. Garcia, whocame to visit his son. "I think parents shouldenjoy watching their children exercise their rightto free speech."

Garcia added that he respected the minoritystudents' protest tactics.

"This is less violent than the 60s," he said,"but they still drew my attention."

Even if parents were uncertain about supportingthe minority students' cause, most said theysupported the students' proactive efforts.

"I don't know enough about the issues, but Irespect their ability to express their opinions,"said Donna C. Albert. "I think they realize changecomes through parents."

But not everyone said they felt the decision tostage demonstrations over parents' weekend wasappropriate.

"I think it is an activity that should bedirected towards fellow students, not parents,"Lee A. Schutzman, father of Jennifer L. Schutzman'95, said.

"I don't think parents are likely to doanything about it when they get home," added KathyA. Schutzman.

Visiting parent Imsuk Choi, however, said heplanned to write a letter to President Rudenstinesupporting ethnic studies and a more diversifiedfaculty.

"Harvard says they have diversity, but theydon't," Choi said. "I don't think Harvard isproviding enough opportunities [for minorities]."

Whether or not the demonstrations were able tocreate a broad coalition of support among parents,it seemed the protests succeeded in increasingparents' awareness of the issues involved.

"[The protests] are probably an eye-opener formost parents," said Frank N. Eppinger, who addedthat he signed a petition which was circulated bythe protesters.

"I'm pleased to learn that this issue issomething that needs attention," Eppinger said.

Jennifer Ching '96, who organized thedemonstrations, said she was encouraged by theoverall positive response from parents.

"I think parents were overwhelmed, and a lot ofthem were uninformed," she said. "I think wereally reached a lot of people who didn't knowabout ethnic studies before.

Although the minority students' protests aroundthe Science Center this past weekend were not asdramatic as the University Hall takeover, theystill succeeded in drawing Wizansky's attentionand support.

"If [the protesters] intent was forming analliance with people like me, then theysucceeded," Wizansky said.

He said he felt the present students' "morerational approach" to student activism is betterthan the more radical approach used in the '60s.

For the most part, parents said they sharedWizansky's enthusiasm for the protesters effort,even if they did not necessarily support thecause.

"I think it's great," said Louis F. Garcia, whocame to visit his son. "I think parents shouldenjoy watching their children exercise their rightto free speech."

Garcia added that he respected the minoritystudents' protest tactics.

"This is less violent than the 60s," he said,"but they still drew my attention."

Even if parents were uncertain about supportingthe minority students' cause, most said theysupported the students' proactive efforts.

"I don't know enough about the issues, but Irespect their ability to express their opinions,"said Donna C. Albert. "I think they realize changecomes through parents."

But not everyone said they felt the decision tostage demonstrations over parents' weekend wasappropriate.

"I think it is an activity that should bedirected towards fellow students, not parents,"Lee A. Schutzman, father of Jennifer L. Schutzman'95, said.

"I don't think parents are likely to doanything about it when they get home," added KathyA. Schutzman.

Visiting parent Imsuk Choi, however, said heplanned to write a letter to President Rudenstinesupporting ethnic studies and a more diversifiedfaculty.

"Harvard says they have diversity, but theydon't," Choi said. "I don't think Harvard isproviding enough opportunities [for minorities]."

Whether or not the demonstrations were able tocreate a broad coalition of support among parents,it seemed the protests succeeded in increasingparents' awareness of the issues involved.

"[The protests] are probably an eye-opener formost parents," said Frank N. Eppinger, who addedthat he signed a petition which was circulated bythe protesters.

"I'm pleased to learn that this issue issomething that needs attention," Eppinger said.

Jennifer Ching '96, who organized thedemonstrations, said she was encouraged by theoverall positive response from parents.

"I think parents were overwhelmed, and a lot ofthem were uninformed," she said. "I think wereally reached a lot of people who didn't knowabout ethnic studies before.