Dan Wachtell can support any type of "challenging," "difficult" or "offensive" art he wants; he can spend his $5.50 at the Hamilton Multiplex, his $15.50 at the Sam Goody or his $25.50 at the local XXX video store. What Mr. Wachtell can watch, listen to or buy is a matter of his First Amendment Right. Similarly, short of child pornography, photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and artist Renee Cox are free to paint, photograph and draw whatever they want; New York City does not lack private museum and gallery space where they can display their so-called art. However, the city's taxpayers and government need not, and, I submit, should not, be forced to support "artwork" that not merely offends, but degrades, more than half of the city's population. Surely the Brooklyn Museum of Art would not display an exhibition belittling the Jews' struggle during the Holocaust, nor would the Brooklyn Academy of Music offer a retrospective on the grammy-winning lyrics of Marshall Mathers. As a Jewish woman in NYC (and, I may add, an Eminem fan), I know that the Anti-Defamation League and every women's organization both sides of the East River, respectively, would be up in arms if it did. Christianity, however, has become an easy and, it seems, legitimate target for today's "artists." Their work, no matter how degrading and offensive, has gone beyond reproach. A decency panel may not be the answer, but a little common sense on the part of the Brooklyn Museum of Art is definitely in order.
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Campus is isolated: Be the voice that speaks out
Wynne Conger“Although today’s encampment represents a significant and monumental stride in campus activism, the culture of the Orange Bubble must fundamentally shift in order to ensure long term change.”
Protesting for peace and justice
Nura Liepsner“To me, the work that pro-Palestine protesters at Princeton, across the nation, and abroad are fighting for can be viewed as a part of a much larger dream of liberation.”
“To me, the work that pro-Palestine protesters at Princeton, across the nation, and abroad are fighting for can be viewed as a part of a much larger dream of liberation.”
Encampments are not ‘inherently unsafe.’ Princeton should not arrest or expel students for them.
Daily Princetonian Editorial Board“We urge Princeton to cease student arrests and to refrain from expelling students simply for engaging in prolonged protest.”
“We urge Princeton to cease student arrests and to refrain from expelling students simply for engaging in prolonged protest.”
