Learning and teaching

Editorial: Hazard an opinion

Wesleyan’s student newspaper, the Argus, published an op-ed headlined “Why Black Lives Matter Isn’t What You Think” on September 14. The article questions the motives of Black Lives Matter and goes so far as to suggest the movement was to blame for the deaths of police officers. The article was ill-conceived, poorly-written and, by the paper’s own admission, insufficiently fact-checked. After the campus weighed in with deserved criticism, the paper scrambled to atone. In an unprecedented front-page editorial, the Argus apologized profusely, even suggesting they were at fault for not accompanying the controversial op-ed with an opposing viewpoint directly next to it.
Despite the Argus’s over-the-top backpedaling, activists in the Wesleyan community are not satisfied. This week, a petition demanding that Wesleyan’s student government defund the paper until a list of other conditions are met gained over 170 signatures. In exchange for continued funding, the petition calls for specific measures such as diversity training for the publication’s staff each semester and an open space on the paper’s front page for marginalized voices. It also calls for vague measures such as “active recruitment and advertisement.”
It is apparent that the petition’s signatories believe that the Argus has not sufficiently addressed issues regarding the voices of students of color. A few of the petition’s specific demands, such as staff diversity training, are both worthwhile and attainable. Nonetheless, attempting to withhold the student newspaper’s funding is misguided. Though their frustration with the paper extends beyond this one column, in trying to censor an opposing idea, these signatories contradict their own goal of promoting diversity of opinion.
We do not pretend to know everything about the controversy taking place on another campus. But we find several elements of the situation concerning journalistically. For instance, the Argus’ editorial implies that opinion columns should be coupled with counter arguments, but this is neither a standard journalistic practice nor a wise one. All newspapers strive to publish opinion articles with a range of perspectives, but not necessarily side by side.
In terms of the petition’s demands, the mandated creation of a space on the front page of the newspaper reserved for the perspectives of minority students, however well-intentioned, would set a disturbing precedent: it would make continued funding for the paper contingent on the publication of certain content. Such a policy would infringe upon editorial independence, which is vital to the integrity of any publication.
While it is not specifically mentioned in the petition, the op-ed appears to have been the catalyst for the document’s creation. We find it further troubling that members of the Wesleyan student body are conflating the opinions of an op-ed contributor with those of the paper at large. Publishing an article is not the same as endorsing its assertions, and we worry about the implications of missing this distinction moving forward. A newspaper that serves a small community like Wesleyan or Bowdoin should strive to represent the perspectives of its diverse constituents, and that includes publishing unpopular opinions.
This editorial represents the majority view of the Bowdoin Orient’s editorial board, which is comprised of John Branch, Sam Chase, Matthew Gutschenritter, Emma Peters and Nicole Wetsman.

Editorial: State of the liberal arts

For only the fifteenth time in the College’s 221-year history, Bowdoin is inaugurating a new president. This weekend, Clayton Rose will be officially welcomed with a variety of events, including a symposium of prominent alumni that promises to explore the power of the liberal arts. The Inauguration coincides with Homecoming as well as the Board of Trustees’ fall meeting, so campus will be packed with alumni. What’s more, Clayton Rose will have a significant and unique platform to speak to the College community during his inaugural address—a chance to shed light on his goals for his tenure here.
This weekend marks a rare occasion in which many prominent alums from a diverse array of professions will gather to discuss topics of interest to the Bowdoin community. They will address the lasting relevance of the liberal arts—a theme featured in the inaugural ceremonies of many previous Bowdoin presidents. Take former president William Allen, who said in 1820, “The arts and sciences, besides conducing in a high degree to individual happiness, exert an important influence on the general state of society.” Or Rev. Edwin B. Webb, who, at the inauguration of former president William Hyde in 1885, said, “It is a foundation laid upon the bed rock, and a superstructure patiently raised in due proportions and symmetry that we covet. Let the specialty come after the curriculum has gone.”
Many previous presidents have also addressed more timely concerns facing the Bowdoin community at their inaugural events, and this weekend gives us an opportunity to hear from President Rose. Until now, Rose has made a point of hearing the voices of others at the College. In April, he told the Orient he was in a “listening and learning mode,” and in July said that the “broad theme for a while is going to be listening and meeting as many people as I can.” This is a commendable strategy for a newcomer seeking to understand a complex environment like Bowdoin. However, the time has finally come for Rose to speak and for us to listen.
So far, he has given us little insight about the directions in which he plans to steer the College. For instance, Rose is highly qualified to address the lack of faculty diversity—an issue the College has grappled with for decades—having studied issues of racial diversity from an academic perspective. As the College experiments with different ways to complement its liberal arts program with business education, Rose, a president with years of experience in both the financial sector and academia, has clear expertise to contribute. We hope to hear his thoughts on these and other pressing issues facing the College this weekend.
The Inauguration is more than just pomp and circumstance. It is a chance for the College to come together to reaffirm our commitment to the liberal arts and focus on the work that Bowdoin needs to do under President Rose’s leadership.
This editorial represents the majority view of the Bowdoin Orient’s editorial board, which is comprised of John Branch, Sam Chase, Matthew Gutschenritter, Emma Peters and Nicole Wetsman.

Editorial

This piece represents the opinion of The Bowdoin Orient editorial board.

October 2, 2015

Yesterday, the campus-wide teach-in, “Intersections: Making Connections, Moving Forward,” finally took place after ten months of planning. What was originally conceived as an event dedicated to climate change ultimately became an opportunity for members of the community to discuss the intersections between a range of pressing issues—namely climate and race. As a campus that often bemoans its tendency to “talk about talking,” the College finally engaged.

The teach-in’s goals were abstract. As organizer Mary Hunter told the Orient this week, “My bar is that people learn something that they couldn’t have learned without the day and that they converse in a way that they would not converse without the day.” As best as we can tell, yesterday met that goal. Events seemed well-attended, and participants engaged in conversations that are often had behind closed doors, if at all. Students and professors alike took advantage of the platform to share their knowledge and unique perspectives.

However, the event’s reach did not truly extend to the whole campus. Because events were optional and classes were not cancelled, many students did not participate, including some who may have wished to. While successful on many levels, this teach-in was not the campus-wide reckoning that some hoped for.

The teach-in was special because it concentrated the energy and focus of many students, faculty and staff. But every week, events are held on campus that address the same topics as the teach-in. For example, this past Monday, Clenora Hudson-Weems, a prominent academic from the University of Missouri, discussed the modern socio-economic, political and cultural experiences of women of African descent. This event did not occur as part of the teach-in, but it dealt with similar themes of race and social justice. A teach-in is a visible way to draw attention to certain issues, but Bowdoin should not forget the importance of engaging with them regularly, especially given the opportunities that only a college campus can provide.

Many members of the Bowdoin community attended the teach-in as a statement in and of itself. By attending, they showed not only the importance they place on the issues at hand, but affirmed the value of dialogue and activism in general. This is an affirmation that should exist beyond the teach-in; we should constantly look for ways to engage with issues that challenge us, not only when the opportunity falls in our lap in the form of a day-long event. This could mean attending more organized events and talks, getting involved in student activism, or being open to having more uncomfortable conversations. Everyone will take away something different from individual experiences at the teach-in, but if there’s one thing community members can all share, it should be a desire to continue filling the spaces where opportunities for engagement and thoughtful discussion are presented to us so readily.

This editorial represents the majority view of the Bowdoin Orient’s editorial board, which is comprised of John Branch, Sam Chase, Matthew Gutschenritter, Emma Peters and Nicole Wetsman.

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