"The unofficial graduation requirements." This widely read article on critical issues such as how one successfully enters the underground tunnel marks the highlight of my four-year tenure at The Chronicle.
But, back in high school, I moonlighted as an investigative, undercover reporter. My articles in the school newspaper on charges of harassment and discrimination brought against the superintendent by the vice principal uncovered bias in the school board's handling of the case. When the superintendent eventually left the district, I realized the power of the press for the first time.
Looking back on the episode, I do not think the superintendent would have been brought to justice without the attention that my coverage generated. But, my victory was bittersweet. The superintendent was forced to leave along with the vice principal and the principal, two excellent administrators. I felt confused, not knowing if I had done the right thing, or if I should have saved myself a lot of grief and avoided censorship of the paper by only writing stories about cafeteria food and marching band trips.
While at The Chronicle, I haven't uncovered any administrative scandals. Yet, I hope that my articles on issues like interracial dating, drinking and driving, student mothers and Duke's hook-up culture have prompted campus dialogue. Somehow, when my other extracurricular commitments grew unimportant as the years went by, I could never let go of my work at The Chronicle.
It's not that I love being a reporter, it's that newspapers themselves fascinate me. Newspapers have incredible potential to bring change to society, both positive and negative. Ever since my stint as a young Nellie Bly, I have treasured being a part of the organization that gives my community a voice.
After years of reporting for The Chronicle, I have been given the opportunity to write with my own voice. I cannot let this opportunity pass without addressing the conflict in the Middle East.
The uncertain future of the state of Israel sits heavily on my heart. I am an American citizen, but Israel will always be my home. It has been the Jewish homeland since 1200 BC. It deeply saddens me that this country is no longer a safe haven for my people. In Israel, every day a terrorist strikes, it is Sept. 11. It is unfair to let Israelis live like this. The Israeli government must be allowed to make our home safe.
In 1948, the Arab nations were offered a Palestinian state by the United Nations. They rejected it and instead declared war on Israel. For the last 50 years, ordinary Palestinians have been victimized by other Arabs, and most recently a corrupt and politically bankrupt leadership. They were expelled from Arab countries, such as Kuwait and Jordan, and have deliberately been kept in refugee camps as political pawns.
Seven hundred thousand Jews were expelled from Arab lands in the aftermath of the foundation of the Jewish state and they were absorbed into Israel, as have been thousands of Jews since then. Why do the Arab countries not do the same for their people? Maybe it is because their ultimate goal is not peace but rather the end of the Jewish state.
Every Arab head of state who has been serious about making peace with Israel has succeeded. Israel has exchanged land for peace in the past. For example, Israel returned all of the Sinai Peninsula in the landmark peace agreement with Egypt's Anwar Sadat. This represented much of the land captured in 1967. Israel also withdrew from Lebanon and made peace with Jordan's King Hussein. Israel's people want peace and are prepared to make painful compromises to achieve it. This was evident at Camp David in July 2000, when Israel offered Arafat a Palestinian state, consisting of control of East Jerusalem, all of the Gaza Strip and 95 percent of the West Bank, i.e. 97 percent of the territory he originally requested.
The offer was rejected and answered with suicide bombers. The obstacles to peace are the leaders of the Palestinians and those who still support and engage in terrorism. I hope that the time will soon come again when Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace, and I can travel safely in my Jewish homeland.
These could be my last few sentences in a newspaper for many years. Looking back on my high school experiences now, I do not at all regret the stories we published. And, I know I will not regret using this space to express my passion for the land of Israel. I must be going now. I have several unofficial graduation requirements to complete, and I think it would be quite hypocritical of me not to.
Peri Edelstein, Trinity '02, is managing editor of TowerView. She would like to thank her mother, father and sister Dorie for helping her keep it all together during the last 21 years.
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