Regarding “Discretion Required” (Monday, April 13, 2009):
The recent ‘Prince’ article about Princeton’s supposed anonymous gay hookup culture on Craigslist should have been titled “The sexual life of an individual named Peter,” for the author felt it completely unnecessary for some reason to interview any other gay undergraduates. This gave the impression that Peter’s experiences were somehow common among or representative of gay Princetonians. Now, I don’t want to be hypocritical by pretending to be a spokesman for gay males on campus, but let me just say that all of the gay students that personally talked to me about this article disagreed with Peter’s impression of gay campus climate. To give you a sense of this disconnect, Peter is under the impression that there aren’t any chances to meet other gay students on campus, when this year alone there have been several dances and ice cream socials, a BBQ, a camping trip and a trip to a gay resort. I don’t mean to demean Peter’s experience with homophobia on campus in any way, for there are still pockets of intolerance, especially in certain eating clubs and athletic teams, but I personally do not think that Peter’s experiences comport with the average Princetonian’s experience, and to portray them as such by failing to interview other gay males is misleading. Poor journalism indeed.
Keith Hall ’10
Theatre Intime’s ‘Lear’ powerful
Regarding “ ‘Tragedy of King Lear’ prompts laughs, not tears” (Thursday, April 9, 2009):
I just can’t agree with Elizabeth Zwinkler’s review in the Street of the current Theatre Intime production.
Far from being typified by “blandness of representation” or “weaknesses in performance,” the cast, impeccably assembled by director Laura Fletcher ’10, powerfully realizes this dark and highly disturbing late Shakespearean work. The actors bring alive the terrible events and intrigues as the elderly Lear’s carefully scripted retirement collapses and treachery, betrayal, adultery, madness, murder and civil war fill the vacuum of power.
There are indeed laughs — the Bard knew very well how to ameliorate tragedy with comedy, then set up the audience for more shocks — but these are quite intentional and consistently well played.
‘King Lear’ is Theatre Intime’s best Shakespeare in many seasons. Four paws up for me.
Richard D. Smith
Article on 2D misses the point
Regarding “Life in 2D and the omnivore’s dilemma” (Friday, April 10, 2009):
Several members of the 2 Dickinson Vegetarian Cooperative were disappointed by The Daily Princetonian’s recent article. In particular, we were puzzled by its focus on 2D residents’ objection to the no-meat-cooking rule . (2D residents can be co-op members but most are not.) The rule has been in place as long as current co-op members remember and seems to have become a problem for 2D residents who were not properly informed about the building’s rules before joining. The article’s focus on this matter is damaging and disappointing. It suggests vegetarianism is an inconvenience or offense to those who don’t practice it.
As far as I know, 2 Dickinson is the only eating place on campus where students with an ethical, moral, cultural or physical aversion to meat can go and not be confronted by it. Even so, about half of the co-op members are not vegetarian or vegan but join the co-op for the good food and friendly atmosphere. Those who object to this rule in the past have done so out of unabashed egoism and ignorance. By focusing on this issue, seemingly out of a search for controversy, the ‘Prince’ elided the fundamental tenets and characteristics of the co-op in the article: its openness, community ethic, diversity, sustainable focus and the work and responsibility needed to keep it in running order.
One of the co-op’s tenets not mentioned in the article is its open guest policy. Just as we welcomed the reporter from the ‘Prince’, cooked her dinner and shared with her our ideas and practices, we are willing to do the same for any other community member interested in the co-op experience.
Finally, the article wrote that I have “resorted” to cooking broccoli in a microwave. First of all, yes. Yes, I have. Second of all, I am not ashamed. Maybe a little ashamed.
Alex Gertner ’10
Co-op resident and member
Read More
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.
