Bullies, by unleashing harsh punishment on a victim, intend to intimidate everyone else. It doesn’t take a deep reading of history to know how readily and often this works. We cheer for the fictional heroine or hero who stands up and defeats the bully. But, seriously, who wants to risk becoming the next target? Self preservation is powerful. I get it. President Donald Trump’s bullying of Harvard, by severing all relationships with the federal government, is certainly intended to intimidate other universities and colleges. I hope he does not succeed. I would love to see 100 or 200 universities — in red states and blue — stand together and cut all ties with the federal government. People would take note and so would President Trump. Collective courage might prove contagious and be victorious. I would cheer for that movie.
Al Rudnitsky
Northampton