Students address USG elections, run-off candidates for president
We all have gripes about this campus. We complain that dining hall food is lousy, that Pequod packets cost too much, that athletes are not allowed to practice enough, that fire code regulations are too strict, that precepts are lame, that construction is loud and ugly, and so on, and so forth ad nauseum. In my three and a half years as an undergraduate, I have come to appreciate what I believe to be the fundamental problem on this campus, the problem that underlies virtually all others. Quite simply, the members of the Princeton community have a very basic problem with accepting responsibility. Our motto "In the nation's service" could far more accurately be replaced by the maxim, "It is always someone else's fault."
Consider the state of our student government. As Octavio Carrasco has effectively (if disrespectfully) charged, the USG is not an effective body. But whose fault is it that ineffective leaders are elected to the USG? It is the voting public's fault, the fault of the very people who complain. After all, consider how we electoral decisions—Jane Voter is more concerned with casting a ballot for her friend than for the best candidate. Rather than choosing candidates because they have coherent and thoughtful visions for how to improve the university, we consistently condemn ourselves to ignorance on the issues. Making an effort to understand different candidates' platforms and the issues at stake means we might be put in the awkward position of having to vote for someone other than our friends. So, to play it safe, we simply vote for whomever we were drunk with last Thursday night.
Getting drunk of course brings up another important area in which no one is willing to take responsibility. I recently had an opportunity to attend a meeting of the Campus Alcohol Coalition, attended by top administrators including President Tilghman, and a wide array of student leaders. In an attempt to better formulate an approach for dealing with alcohol problems, we spent a good deal of time parsing out how and why there is a problem with drinking on campus in the first place. Retrospectively, it is not surprising that the next afternoon I heard one of the eating club representatives blaming all of Princeton's alcohol problems on the Greek system and room parties. The comment fit beautifully into the quintessentially Princeton tradition of pointing the finger at someone else. Of course, the blatant manner in which the clubs reinforce dependence on alcohol conveniently eluded this individual—always easier to blame someone else. How constructive.
This is all a long-winded way of saying that every individual and organization that comprises this university community has got to bite the bullet. Like I said, we all have gripes. But unless we assume the burden of informing ourselves about the policies against which we protest, and unless we all take responsibility for our roles in propagating the conditions that generate our complaints, we will continue to flounder in our effort to improve Princeton. Rather than resigning ourselves to complaisant ignorance as we often do, we should all at least try to understand why there are no late meals on the weekends, or why freshman get dangerously drunk during Frosh Week. Only then can we begin to make a more meaningful effort to constructively affect change—but this first step means that we have to be willing to accept responsibility if in the end it is ours to bear. Michael Kimberly '03 USG Elections Chair
In support of Mirbagheri in USG presidential run-off
In today's election, USG Vice President Sonya Mirbagheri is giving Princeton the opportunity to choose a president that will substantially improve campus life. Sonya has successfully extended late meal hours, improved University facilities, bolstered campus safety and increased accessibility for disabled students. Numerous minority groups have endorsed Sonya's candidacy, including the Black Student Union and Organization of Women Leaders, demonstrating her commitment to underrepresented students and willingness to approach the University on their behalf. Sonya has made progress for students as senator and vice president, but she can do more.
Over the past three years, Sonya's dedication and leadership have given her more than experience; they have equipped and qualified her to take on the responsibilities of USG President. Sonya alone has developed the working relationships necessary to garner support from the administration—support that will empower the USG to improve the Princeton experience for all students.
Sonya will create a 24-hour study space. Sonya will hold town hall meetings. Sonya will fight against the 7-week moratorium. Sonya will increase communication between student groups. Sonya will eliminate housing waitlists. Sonya will provide an essential link between the administration and the student body, and, with your support, Sonya will be the next USG President. A vote for Sonya is a vote for action. Allison Ball '03
Removing Langsam from the crosshairs of The Tory
The Tory's recent attack on USG President Nina Langsam distressed and shocked me. In brief, the Tory has published a sarcastic, insulting, and caustic response to a very temperate letter that Ms. Langsam wrote to their editorial board as personal correspondence. When Ms. Langsam asked that they not publish her letter (in a variety of different ways) they responded not only by publishing it, but by converting the first several pages of their most recent magazine into a Langsam-bashing digest.
This is yet another example of the Tory's notorious flair for alienating not only liberals but their constituent republicans (Ms. Langsam announces herself as one). Ms. Langsam has given much to the Princeton community and I find it upsetting that the editors of the Tory would so abuse and savage her over such a very minor issue. I certainly hope that this sordid little incident will not color our memories of Ms. Langsam's term in office. Ari Samsky '03
Tearing up The Tory shows hypocrisy of criticism
Letters to the Editor about the Princeton Tory "Take Two." Two pieces that is. A stroll down the third floor hallway of Cuyler this weekend revealed a certain "open-mindedness" that some liberals espouse. Each Princeton Tory magazine was torn into two pieces, while the Tiger Magazine and Nassau Weekly and other publications underneath lay unscathed. The paradigm that dissenting opinions will be silenced, or shredded, rather than engaged is unacceptable and is an obvious affront to freedom of speech. It is inherently contradictory that those who decry conservatives as narrow-minded try to eliminate opposing viewpoint from public discourse, which Arthur Dudney seemed to suggest in a recent editorial. To those who think it cowardly to leave the brief articles in the Rant unsigned, I suggest that it is more cowardly to walk through hallways tearing up a publication with which you disagree rather than discussing issues in an up front way. So as I flip through my taped up copy of the Tory, I hope that those on this campus of differing opinions will not try to rip each other to shreds in the name of "tolerance," but exercise our ability to engage in conversation with those who hold different views. Alicia Clermont '03
Men Against Rape March highlights important issue
Rape is a problem that affects the entire community, yet nationally and locally most anti-rape activists are female. Changing the tide here at Princeton, I was excited on this past Friday December 6th when the first Princeton Men Against Rape March was held. Undergraduate men, graduate men, staff, and public safety officers marched together across the snow covered campus, chanting and playing drums. As a woman and the coordinator of the SHARE program, I was so happy to see men on this campus taking a visible stand against sexual violence. The men represented a number of diverse organizations including Another World is Possible, Alcohol and Other Drug Peer Educators, Body Hype, the Fire Hazards, Health Promotions, and Princeton Coalition Against Terrorism. The men repeated such chants as, "Stop the Violence. Stop the Abuse. Alcohol is no excuse." as well as "No more rape." The signs they held proclaimed, "No means no.", "Men against Rape." and "Rape is a crime." So why is it important for men to be a part of the anti-rape movement nationally and here at Princeton? One reason is that men most often listen to other men when it comes to messages about rape and domestic violence. It is important then for men to begin dialoguing amongst themselves about issues of consent, gender, violence, and respect. Another reason is that although the majority of men are not perpetrators, the majority of perpetrators are male. Given this fact, it is important to create places where we can interrogate and reflect on conceptions of manhood, masculinity, and sexuality. Yet another reason for this important movement, is the number of male survivors of incest and sexual assault. Male survivors of sexual violence are often shamed into silence and it is important on this campus that we create an environment where they can come forward and get the support the need. Lastly a number of male students have come to the SHARE program wondering how to be supportive to friends, sisters, and girlfriends who have been sexually assaulted. By making a personal commitment and public expression against sexual violence, men on this campus can help to create a climate of safety and respect. Raising awareness does make a difference, especially when addressing issues of sexual violence that hare so often silenced. I hope the men and women on this campus will continue to fight the silence and shame of sexual violence by raising their voices and working for justice. I know that witnessing the march on Friday raised my hope that we are moving in the right direction. Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis Coordinator of SHARE
Moratorium prevents the quest for varied experience
Could it be that student-athletes seek a more well-rounded life and, so, are willing to "underperform" academically in order to have a more balanced life? This would hold for other students who also spend a large percentage of their time "training (musicians, chess, theatre)" for their extracurricular activities. Dan Zibman
PPN display demonstrates lack of intellectual ideas
"Peace" must be a relative term.
In the spirit of intellectual debate, I greatly appreciated seeing the display put together by members of the Princeton Peace Network at Frist in opposition to war against Iraq. That is, however, until I saw the leaflets they had posted from the National Alliance. That group is one one of the leading neo-Nazi organizations in country. Apparently, in their zeal to oppose American involvement in Iraq, the Princeton Peace Network also has taken up racism, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism under the guise of "Peace."
I find the very concept of the National Alliance offensive, and as a member of this community I find their presence in the campus center simply nauseating. For a student organization calling itself the "Princeton Peace Network" to ascribe to the ideas and motives of a group described by the Anti-Defamation League, a leading civil rights organization, as "the single most dangerous organized hate group in America today" is utterly despicable. Indeed, the very fact the such a source was used in the Peace Network's research is disturbing. Perhaps the Peace Network's research team glossed over the mission statement of the National Alliance, which seeks to cure "the sickness of 'multiculturalism,' which is destroying America, Britain, and every other Aryan nation." Perhaps the Peace Network ignored those National Alliance essays which offer "a penetrating look at the role of Jews in world history by the poet and playwright to whom Hitler dedicated Mein Kampf." Perhaps the Peace Network also disregarded a downloadable version of the video game "Ethnic Cleansing," where one's mission is to shoot as many African-americans, Sikhs and Hasidic Jews as possible. Perhaps not.
This was not the type of intellectual debate I had in mind. Rob Buerki '06
Campus Christian groups miss larger religious aims
Allow me to say a few words to the letter from Campus Crusaders Ryan Bonfiglio '01 and Vince Vitale '04 of Dec. 9.
My article claims that the going variety of organized campus evangelical Ch-ristianity has been lackluster at best in its social embodiment of Jesus's love ethic, and thus has remained otherworldly. While a minority slice of Christians engage in the Lord's work — fighting for justice, peace and a good society — the campus crusade has been to save souls.
Regardless of where one stands on evangelical claims about the nature of the universe (Christianity is not univocal on this either), what is evident to me is that this community has been invisible on issues that best express Christian neighbor-love: war, exploitation, poverty, and cruelty. My challenge was for this community to engage and unite with we seculars who work against the evils of power, privilege, and injustice. I have been met with near silence. My claim is that evangelical Christianity has become a "gated community of the soul", please prove me wrong. Elliot Ratzman GS Religion
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