Letters to the Editor

Activists on campus will continue to be heard

To the Daily:

Too often in the Daily, articles and letters are written that attempt to make an argument by attacking and insulting those who hold opposing views. Branden Sanz's column in the Mar. 29 edition ("Ignorance, naivete and plain old stupidity - the 'U'") is a perfect example. The author lumps all those who fight against the death penalty, demand a living wage for sweatshop workers, are environmentalists, oppose the bombing of Iraq, Kosovo or oppose U.S. imperialism and declares that they "don't know shit about life."

I'll agree that I don't personally know anyone who works in a sweatshop or anyone who has lived through NATO/U.S. bombing and sanctioning of their country. However, one does not have to look far to see the effects of poverty and despair to know that it is very real. Those of us who "don't know shit about life" are attempting to point out that humanity cannot in good consciousness continue to support a society that promotes a system where people are forced to live under such dire conditions.

The fact that there are bad people in the world or that "the world is not fair" does not justify poverty or war. Sanz claims that a lack of common sense or a real understanding of the issues is the cause for this apparent stupidity on the part of activists. Has he ever stopped to actually communicate and share ideas with one of the people he attacks? They have usually spent large amounts of time and effort educating themselves.

Does he think that Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality was able to go in and make their demands on the simple premise that they don't think sweatshops are nice? Does he think that no one who lives in the communities affected by poverty and war are fighting to end their oppression? It is not naivete that drives many of us to educate ourselves and fight against the atrocities in the world, it is the fact that we are aware that drives us.

The University provides an excellent forum for people of different views to share those views, but Sanz prefers not to acknowledge the validity of any views that are not his own. We are here to gain our voice in this world, and whether or not Sanz approves, we will continue to be heard.

Elizabeth Hamilton

SNRE junior

'Chess' review did not give play enough credit

To the Daily:

This play review was extremely degrading and unnecessary to the devoted cast of Chess ("'Chess' dull to watch," 3/29/99). I was present at the Sunday matinee showing and felt the performance was phenomenal as well as the message about life and the Cold War that it shared. The play's cast, director, stage managers and other persons involved in this production invested much time, effort and heart into this weekend's performance and do not deserve this incredulous critique.

It is not fair to those involved with the performance to say their dedication was completely and utterly uninspired and worthless to the community.

Granted, there were a few problems with sound, lighting and set changes, but not enough to overwhelmingly affect the entire performance. For instance, the lead characters' voices were beautiful, strong and in tune. So much emotion and strength was portrayed through their words and body language that only one who was unattentive would miss the quality of their performances.

To say that Freddie was "the only character to capture the audiences' attention" is a bit short sighted. The struggles within and between characters, such as Anatoli's wife's visit and Walter's desperate greed for money, sparked audience interest much more than Freddie's rebellious antics. The tension on stage when the two women, Florence and Svetlana, meet in the same restaurant and then enter the terrace together, alone, was superb and yet frightening - after all, what does one say to the woman who takes her husband away?

Furthermore, the interactions between characters was suspenseful yet fascinating. When Anatoli first touches Florence, a heart skips a beat. One asks if the American Florence can really betray her best friend and fall in love with a Russian opponent - only to be answered by a kiss. Then, when Florence sees her father again after 18 years, she is apprehensive and untrusting - could this really be him? Her silence and still actions hold the audience in dreadful anticipation until her hand enters the soft yellow light, reaching for the fragile, welcoming reach of her father.

This play as a whole did not deserve the review that it received. Unfortunately, those who did not get a chance to see it could only catch a glimpse of it through this poor article. I write this letter in hopes of restoring the confidence of the cast and crew of "Chess" and to reiterate that there were people who did thoroughly enjoy the production and were equally grateful for an entertaining and enlightening three hours.

Kristie Aiuto

Engineering junior

Mass e-mail does not promote student bonding

To the Daily:

This is in response to Joel Snyder's letter defending e-mail group lists ("Mass e-mail can help bring students together" (3/26/99).

I went to Andover and heard about this cheerful list. Funny, I did not see any of the aforementioned bonding going on. I saw the nerds from Andover letting the popular people know how much they sucked.

The first response to a solicitation by some student government candidates was hate mail from one of the nerds saying, "you never liked me and I never liked you."

I can feel the bonding, Joel. As a result of the vindictive mail, a flurry of responses arose. And because most of the people were in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, they checked "yes" when asked "Reply to all recipients?" Soon enough, warfare ensued between different factions, those factions being the people who were cool at Andover, the people who were nerds at Andover and the people who just liked to piss people off.

This is all because some MSA candidates wanted some extra votes. You readers say, Justin, you sound bitter. No, I'm not bitter at all my pals from high school. Hell, the love was so deep between me and my high school buddies that I did not even make the cut to be on this "buddy" list. I heard about it from a friend. So Joel, until people use these lists with proper etiquette, I am not sold on their benefits.

In closing, I hope no one takes this personally.

Justin Adams

Engineering junior

04-01-99