Remembering Marcia Deihl

One of the great things about a college experience is the extraordinary people who enter one’s life, however briefly (“The Good Life of Marcia Deihl,” Winter–Spring 2016). I met Marcia Deihl thanks to a fellow denizen of Myles Standish Hall who was a flute major at the College of Fine Arts. Marcia was a rare person with whom one forms an instant and comfortable friendship, and with patient good humor, she would occasionally join in our Friday evening dorm-room music ensemble. I marveled at her amazing three-part harmony solo performance. It was obvious, even back then, in the glorious 1960s, that her warmth and humanity transcended any standard. Marcia Deihl traveled through life in a very high orbital, which we would all do well to try to emulate.

Michael Max Mosorjak (CFA’71)
Johnstown, Pa.

Thank you so much for the remembrance of Marcia Deihl. So often the alumni coverage is of those who have achieved great financial or international success. Deihl represents the world of smaller achievements and impressed me with the lifetime consistency of her beliefs being supported by her lifestyle. So many people have a disconnect between their stated beliefs and their lifestyle and life choices.

Robin Spence (CAS’71)
Hampstead, Md.

CAS professor Susan Eckstein says her book project highlights exceptional entitlements the United States has extended to Cubans. AP Photo/Dave Martin

US Cuban Immigration Policy: A Professor Responds

Fernando Gutierrez (SED’81) wrote a letter criticizing a description of my work reported in Bostonia: a historical study of US Cuban immigration policy (“Letters,” Winter–Spring 2016). I am sensitive to the experience Gutierrez, his family, and others had in Cuba before coming to the United States, although Gutierrez claims I trivialize Cubans’ plight as mere political gain on the part of the Democrats. In point of fact, he trivializes as well as misrepresents my work.

My book project, written with the support of a highly prestigious John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship, focuses on immigration policy from the vantage point of the United States. It focuses on Cuba and Cubans’ reasons for uprooting only in so far as they are relevant to understanding Washington policy. My book-in-process highlights exceptional entitlements the US has extended to Cubans, and only to Cubans. Cubans are the only foreign-born who near automatically become legal permanent residents when entering the United States without authorization, and who qualify for refugee benefits without having to prove that they meet the near universally agreed-upon definition of refugees, namely, demonstration of well-founded evidence that they would suffer persecution if they remained in their homeland. Moreover, Cubans who appear at the US border are paroled into the country and put on a path to legal permanent residence and citizenship, while Central American children arriving at our border, fleeing for their lives from violence in their homeland, are deported. And Cubans in the post-Soviet era receive refugee benefits even though they emigrate for economic more than political reasons. They also are the only immigrants, legal or illegal, who qualify for welfare benefits. Both Republican and Democratic administrations have extended such privileges to Cubans. Gutierrez incorrectly misrepresents me in saying that Democrats exploit Cubans’ plight for political gain. Overall, the Republicans have been the main beneficiaries of Cuban immigration, in that until very recently most Cuban immigrants voted for the Grand Old Party.

Gutierrez’s family came to America to enjoy political freedom. He should respect the dedication of a serious scholar, whether or not he agrees with, or likes, the documentation the scholar reveals. Gutierrez should not hold it against Boston University that it employs me. The University is committed to intellectual diversity and to scholarship. Out of respect for freedom and truth, Gutierrez should consider contributing to his alma mater, not pronounce his wallet closed out of distaste for my project. We are in America, not Cuba.

Susan Eckstein
Professor of sociology and international relations, College of Arts & Sciences and Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies

An Extraordinary Life

I read your essay on Marcia Deihl (my wife is an alum) with great curiosity (“The Good Life of Marcia Deihl,” Winter–Spring 2016). Thank you for your care and tenderness in telling the story of Marcia’s life. I never got to meet Marcia in person, but had the honor of presiding at her ghost bike dedication. She lived an extraordinary life.

To that end, there was an error in your essay at the very end. You attributed some words that I spoke to another woman, Rev. Betsy Sowers. Betsy was there and present, though not the pastor of Old Cambridge Baptist at the time—I believe she is a parishioner. I know she said beautiful things about Marcia, and invited people to her funeral.

The words you attributed to Betsy verbatim were actually from me, cited by me in the liturgy I created and spoke on March 22, 2015.

I was a part of a team of cyclists who created the memorial, assembled the ghost bike, worked with the media and the police, and organized the ceremony. We’ve done the same for many other cyclists killed in Boston. Part of what’s remarkable in the story of Marcia’s life and untimely death is the wide community of cyclists who gather to honor the deceased, even those we don’t know. I’m honored to be a part of this community that celebrated Marcia’s life and grieved her needless death.

Rev. Laura E. Everett
Executive director, Massachusetts Council of Churches

Left Out of the Spotlight?

I read with great interest your recent timely article “Alums in the Spotlight” (Winter–Spring 2016), with a subtitle pointing to the fact that a number of BU graduates were portrayed by “A-list” actors in this year’s Best Picture Academy Award–winning movie, Spotlight.

I understand that your article focused primarily on the Boston Globe reporters, but was it necessary to completely omit any reference to the name of attorney Mitchell Garabedian (CGS’71, CAS’73)? He was on this case years before the Boston Globe got involved, and he is still on the case, long after the Globe reporters finished their work and moved on to other stories.

Am I biased in favor of my old pal and former BU roommate Mitch? Of course! Nevertheless, by any fair definition, he is one of the genuine heroes in this story…maybe the hero. And he was portrayed in the movie by Stanley Tucci, another “A-list” actor.

Yes, we have all heard that Mitch can be a bit cantankerous at times. Perhaps you even reached out to him for comment and he chose not to participate (pure speculation on my part). Regardless, the absence of any reference to Mitchell Garabedian, in the context of his original and ongoing role in this important story, combined with the fact that he is a fellow BU alum, leaves such an obvious hole in your narrative as to almost suggest an intentional omission.

Now, if you have published a Garabedian-focused article in the past, or are planning one in the near future, I express my gratitude to Bostonia. But in the meantime, please permit me to contribute a well-deserved shout-out: Kudos to Attorney Garabedian. Way to go, Mitch!

William Sharpe (CFA’75)
Pittsburgh, Pa.

Low-Tech Gadget

I always like to see new gadgets and inventions (“Pre-Conceptions,” Winter–Spring 2016). I have a low-cost (actually, free) way to make sure that I replace credit cards in my wallet. I have each one in a credit card envelope supplied by banks. When I remove a credit card from my wallet, I hold on to the little envelope. When I get the card back, it goes back into the envelope and my hands are free. I am told that the envelopes protect the magnetic strips as well.

I enjoy receiving Bostonia. Keep them coming.

Eric Kolman (ENG’69)
Stoughton, Mass.

Correction

A 1975 photo of Marcia Deihl, which appeared on the cover and on page 45 of the Winter-Spring 2016 Bostonia, should have been credited to Ellen Shub. We regret the omission.

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