Regarding “To Arms!” and the Joke Issue (Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009):
Why is it still OK to use homophobic slurs in the context of satire and humor? As members of Princeton’s LGBT Task Force, we’re not sure. Take for example the recent annual joke issue of the Daily Princetonian. The Gaily Printsanything included comments that were sexually suggestive, homophobic or sexist alongside profanity and other failed attempts at humor. So we began to wonder: Is that the best you can do?
Of particular concern to us, however, is the free use of the “f-word.” We are not talking about that pithy four-letter gem, but instead about the term of slander against individuals for their real or perceived sexual orientation. We understand that the “f-word” in question was part of an actual quotation from the ugly incident at The Citadel involving the Princeton University Band. What’s curious to us is that the phrase “long-haired faggots” was used not only in the article, but also on the front page in a story headline. OK, sure, we know it was the joke issue, and that the reference was perhaps poking a little fun at the narrow-minded folk who might say such things.
But imagine you are someone who might question whether or not it’s OK to use the “f-word” when describing people you think might be gay. Or that you are a student, and you are questioning your own sexual orientation. Or that you are a gay faculty or staff member who has heard the “f-word” hurled at you as an insult — or, worse yet, a threat — more times than you can count. Suppose that seeing the “f-word” in print makes members of our community feel emboldened to use the term as freely as the article did. Were it any other common racial or ethnic slur, would it have been printed in a headline? Sure, it’s satire, and these are only words. But whatever the intent, these kinds of words can have a real impact on members of our university community.
In addition, the ‘Prince’ manages to further the ill-conceived notion of promiscuity in the LGBT community through printing a comment on gay sex: “put them all in one cell as not to deny their opportunity for gay sex.” This hackneyed stereotype — even in the context of parody — is especially dangerous now that bisexual, gay and lesbian Americans are fighting for their right to marry. As another example, an article about the (fictional) club rifle team uses the pejorative term “sissies,” as in, “ … only sissies dueled with guns.” At the root of labeling someone a “sissy” is a fear of homosexuality (and, to lesser extent, women) and a desire to enforce a particular notion of gender-appropriate behavior.
Do we think the ‘Prince’ intended for these words to promote homophobic views? No, clearly not. But we’d like to think that this newspaper could make its readers laugh without resorting to hurtful slurs and worn-out stereotypes.
Megan Hodges
Assistant Director, Office of Development
Jason Klugman
Lecturer and Administrator, Program in Teacher Preparation
Jennifer Rexford ’91
Computer Science Professor
Grad students can, in fact, be found
Regarding “Grads are so hard to find,” (Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009):
As I read Charlie Metzger’s recent column, “Grads are so hard to find,” I couldn’t help but think, “No, they’re really not.” Metzger’s desire for the University to facilitate more grad-undergrad activities is valid, but it isn’t only the University’s responsibility to facilitate grad-undergrad relationships outside of precept.
Whatever the University does, it’s still our own prerogative whether we have graduate student friends. Similarly, it’s the prerogative of graduate students to respond to your attempts. So if you’re concerned about the lack of friendliness or communication among the students on this campus, make it your mission to make your group of friends more age-diverse. Graduate students are not nearly as elusive as they’re stereotyped to be. Stay after precept to ask a question. Invite your preceptor to a meal. Go to office hours. Eat at the Graduate College (though be prepared to meet mostly newer graduate students). Participate in an activity that caters to graduate students as well as undergraduates, such as the language tables, the English language partner program or Chapel Choir. Study in a department’s lounge. And if you’ve exhausted those ideas, take a ride on the East or Campus Circulator shuttles and converse with the many graduate students who take them to their offices and apartments.
It’s certainly not difficult to pursue valuable (and worthwhile) relationships with grad students that are more substantial than the typical precept-student relationship, as long as you’re willing to put in the appropriate time and effort.
Katie Rodriguez ’11
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Why can’t lecturers win the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching?
Jerry ZhuLet’s acknowledge those who make “boutique teaching” possible, those who work tirelessly to make our rigorous curricula more accessible, and those who dedicate their time to advising and guiding us through all the challenges we face at this University. Lecturers should be eligible for the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Let’s acknowledge those who make “boutique teaching” possible, those who work tirelessly to make our rigorous curricula more accessible, and those who dedicate their time to advising and guiding us through all the challenges we face at this University. Lecturers should be eligible for the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Princeton’s administration of justice is Trumpian
Frances BroganThe disparity between the University’s approach to Giberson and its approach to pro-Palestinian protestors reflects a concerning trend of appeasing an increasingly emboldened right rather than resisting the threat it poses to academic freedom and the wellbeing of Princeton students.
Secular Opening Exercises? Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water
Frank StrasburgerThe secular makes no room for the spiritual. What Opening Exercises are meant to convey is the spirit of the institution so that it may be kept alive from generation to generation.
The secular makes no room for the spiritual. What Opening Exercises are meant to convey is the spirit of the institution so that it may be kept alive from generation to generation.
