"The Biggest Danger is Over Reacting"

Op-Ed, WGBH Online

September 9, 2011

Author: Joseph S. Nye, Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor

Belfer Center Programs or Projects: International Security

Joe Nye teaches courses on international politics and American foreign policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. On Sept. 11, he was the dean of the Kennedy School. As part of our weeklong series, Sept. 11: A Day Of Reflection, A Decade Of Stories, Nye reflects on how he led his students that day — and the implications of the attack for the country.

I remember the sense of shock and worry and concern among our students after the second tower was hit, and it was clear it wasn't an accident. And there were some people who said, "Oh well, we should send the students home." And I thought to myself, "No, that's the worst possible answer! To have everybody sitting alone in an apartment in Somerville, or wherever, trying to cope with this, watching television."

I said, "Why don't we do what we do best at the Kennedy School, hold a community forum?" So we basically pulled together a few faculty members who knew something about the field, though obviously nobody knew about what was really happening. And we held a public forum, which was jammed; members of the audience asking questions and participating. And I think that had something of a therapeutic effect. It allowed the community to pull together and to try to make collective sense of something which otherwise was horrific and senseless....

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