Clubs gathered to discuss topics such as the role of the Unites States in international Politics during Coexist Week.
Participations from over 20 clubs, including Young Democrats, Young Centrists, Young Republicans, Conservation Proctors, and Model United Nations, discussed various current issues during the first annual Coexist Week, initiated by Aiden Reiter ’16.
There was one topic assigned for each day to create a focus point for high quality discussion. The week started off with discussing Immigration in America, followed by the political implications of climate change, the role of the United States in International Policy, closing with a discussion about Israeli and Palestinian Conflict.
Reiter wanted to host a huge event that would serve as a platform for students to exchange ideas without being judged before he graduated. He yearned to have an open discussion and diversify the perspectives of students at Choate.
Reiter commented, “We try to associate ourselves only to people of our own interests. We are supposed to be a diverse community.”
Choate students benefited by hearing diverse perspectives regarding a variety of current issues. While students at Choate come from a variety of backgrounds and hold different perspectives, many felt that they did not have an opportunity to share their opinions. Reiter wanted to break this wall and get students to realize that there are many solutions to international problems and none of them are right or wrong.
However, student reactions regarding coexist week vary. While many enjoyed the event’s intentions of creating an open environment for discussions, some wished that the discussion topics were more varied. All four of the discussion topics revolved around politics, but many wished that other hot topics not directly related to politics were discussed. Ryan Dant ’16 added, “There were not as many people as we expected.”
Nevertheless, Reiter and other students involved are expecting a positive shift towards inclusion in club culture at Choate.
Reiter said, “Coexist Week is going to change how Choate students view clubs and how clubs interact.” Reiter hopes that the shift towards more inter-club exchanges and discourse between students holding different opinions will continue even after he graduates, which is why this coexist week is the first of many more to come. Additionally, Dant continued, “However, CALSA brought more personal stories and about the issues regarding immigrants in America.”
Participant Shiva Sachdeva ’16 commented, “To be able to address relevant issues that extend beyond Choate is truly essential and something that needs to be continued after Coexist Week ended.”
A variety of students hope Coexist Week was the turning point of Choate club cultures. Currently the president of Young Centrists, Choate Amnesty International, Choate Friends of Israel, and Choate Model United Nations, Reiter has always tried to host an event that requiring collaborations between different clubs. In the past, Young Centrists, Choate Amnesty International and Choate Friends of Israel club has sometimes held joint meetings to share their thoughts about a certain issue. Because each club has different members with diverse perspectives, holding a joint interview would create a passionate exchanges of views between students.
Reiter expended huge efforts behind the scenes to ensure that this event could happen. First he emailed Dean of Students Mr. James Stanley about why and how he is would host the event. He also completed forms for the event. Most of his Spring Break was spent scheduling and ensuring coexist week would flow smoothly and without any mistakes.
Reiter’s sister, Gavi Reiter ’13, inspired him to organize the event. She originally tried to create this event during her senior year at Choate, and even discussed the idea of hosting it with Reiter ’16. While it never happened during her time at Choate, her failed attempt became the basis for the successful Coexist Week this year.
Reiter concluded, “The goal of Coexist Week was to collaborate discussion and utilize the variety of clubs and special interest groups we have on campus to make sure the discussion we have is not only multifaceted, but also productive.”
