During the “Riot of 1963,” I was a sophomore studying in Firestone Library. From outside the building, students jeered those of us inside as “weenie-wonks,” apparently for studying during a riot. Out of curiosity, I went outside to observe what was going on. The only damage I remember seeing was an automobile on fire on the north side of Nassau Street, I believe.

Later, I recall being informed that the University considered any student who was viewing the riot to be a “participant” for giving tacit approval of rioters’ misdeeds. To me, that implied that either I should have stayed in the library, tried to study and kept being jeered, or else I should have tried to stop the rioters!

My “share” of the damage ended up costing me $8.

Stephen Rickert ’65
Washington, D.C.