Wealthy can be valuable contributors to charity
I would never discourage anyone from active volunteer work, yet I strongly objected to Stella Daily's characterization of "wealthy people of the future" as potential "lazy activists" in the April 25 issue of The Daily Princetonian. Often diligent activists — presumably those working in close contact with the impoverished, unhealthy or abused — are not well-paid. Charities rely on donations from those who have made money in corporate environments, and the strongest agents for change can be those who have achieved positions of worldly power. Those who work hard in offices and donate to charity are no lazier than those who work hard in inner cities. Yes, some environments promote self-interest more than others, but there are many ways to do good.
Perhaps "we will be in a position to write large checks to worthy charities," and I agree that it is important to know the effectiveness with which agencies use their funds. However, charities need employees, volunteers and money. How we choose to give is a matter of personal satisfaction, and I admire those who continue to give without the reward of ever meeting those they are helping.
Daily's label offended me because it is a practice typical of Princetonians to judge sanctimoniously the wealthy as not caring or to laud post-graduation plans for the Peace Corps while condemning "sellouts." The broad outlines of one's career do not indicate morality. We are accountable to ourselves for the way in which we conduct that career and use its fruits.
I certainly hope there will be a good deal of Daily's "lazy activism" from Princetonians in the future, and that we do not presume to know or judge the merit of our classmates' contributions. Halden Jensen '00
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