The problem for Katherine Greenough seems to be that it is “her way or the highway” (“BU students unruly during the Marathon,” April 21, p.6). Perhaps she is too old at heart to really enjoy a classic American sporting event, and it appears that she would very much like to take it out on the students in her community. I myself stood out in Audubon Circle from the very first wheelchair to virtually the last runner, handing out water all day. Was I screaming and yelling? Of course I was. I was cheering on the runners, many of whom appeared exhausted and in need of some encouragement. I know that I was virtually the last person out there, and I received many “Thanks for staying out here” and “Go BU, now I know for sure it’s my favorite school” from the weary runners passing by, thankful that they at last found someone to give them water. Ask yourself this: If all spectators were completely silent, would the runners be very encouraged by the staring eyes surrounding them? I doubt it. I’m a runner myself, and it would be a tremendous spirit-booster to hear a crowd and to know that they were behind me as I came down the final mile and a half to the finish.
As Boston University students, we are, on average, paying around $1,100 a month to live in this Audubon Circle neighborhood, and have every right that Greenough has to be out here cheering on the runners. I’m not sure what she thinks students these days are doing, but $1,100 is a lot of money for me. I believe I have the right to live peacefully in my own neighborhood.
She states that “The police were here but did nothing.” Well, Ms. Greenough, maybe you should put two and two together and realize that in fact nothing wrong was being done, thus the lack of police action. I am a student in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Mathematics and Pre-Medicine. I also am a student-athlete. I am very proud of BU and I am a native of Boston as well. I have watched the marathon from this area for 15 years. I believe I have enough experience to comment.
Everywhere else was completely calm? Well I for one, and anyone else from Boston, should know that Kenmore Square all the way to Copley is the “hub” of activity on Marathon Monday. I was completely impressed with the behavior of my fellow students on Marathon Monday. I saw BU students cheering on BC students. Anyone remotely familiar with Boston knows the intense rivalry that exists between these two schools. It takes class and sheer compassion for the individuals running the race for a true BU fan to cheer BC on in anything. Go Terriers!
Deirdre Hatfield CAS ’08