The following is the unedited full text of a statement released to The Daily Princetonian by the editorial staff of the Tiger Magazine. The article that ran in the Feb. 22 'Prince' discussing the Black Student Union's (BSU) objections to content in the Tiger can be found here. The BSU letter can be read here.
February 23, 2005
To the Princeton community,
The February 2005 issue of the The Princeton Tiger included a listing of "Facebook Groups You Hope to Never See." One of the Facebook groups, specifically, was called "People who are going to the national KKK meeting ... because they spit hot fiya!" It has been brought to our attention by the Black Student Union (BSU) that some students were offended by our use of this particular group in the Facebook piece.
We at The Tiger have a number of comments we would like to make regarding this particular piece in our magazine, as well as the general idea of "offensive" content in campus publications. With regard to the issue of this Facebook group, the Black Student Union has claimed that The Tiger has "taken something from the experience of African Americans that isn't funny and made a joke of it." We at The Tiger feel that the BSU's objection is a result of their gross misinterpretation of the joke in question.
As George Meyer, a writer for The Simpsons, once said, "the best comedy always jumps a step." Humor is caused by forcing your audience to take a cognitive leap, not because of the subject matter of those leaps. Our fictional Facebook group juxtaposed the recent trend of including "hot fiya" in the title of Facebook groups with the cross-burning actions of the Ku Klux Klan; this creates an unexpected dissonance, and forces the reader to make a cognitive leap.
Those students who found the joke funny, both black and white, found it funny because of this leap. The joke cannot conceivably be taken as any sort of tacit approval of the KKK, as the piece explicitly listed this group as one we would never wish to see on the Princeton campus. Every member of The Tiger is fundamentally opposed to the KKK, and we can stand behind this article because it very much reinforces that fact.
As to the BSU's claim that the article used "the real thefacebook.com group for the Black Arts Company as a model for [the] imaginary KKK Facebook group," this claim is accurate but not complete. The BAC was far from the only group to use some form of the line "because they spit hot fiya;" they were one part of the general trend which we were addressing. We also feel obligated to point out that the BAC includes members who are white, latino, and asian, in addition to black; it is troubling that the any reaction on the behalf of the BAC would be expressed entirely about race.
Now, we know that some of you will object to our firm reply to the BSU's letter; some may even have been offended by our audacity in not apologizing. The recent controversy regarding the Nassau Weekly ended with an apology from the Nass, after all, and we can only imagine that many expected a similar outcome here; we do not intend to apologize for our content.
In point of fact, we considered not responding to these allegations at all, for fear of legitimizing them.
However, we felt that there was an essential point which someone needed to defend. Freedom of speech is also the freedom to tell a joke; this country has worked very hard to protect its citizens' freedoms, and we do not plan to give them up without a fight.
Though we attempt to service the Princeton community with humor, we are not beholden to the political correctness of individual members of it. It is a part of our job as humorists to push the limits of what is funny in a way that not only entertains, but also fosters dialogue. At times our content will offend—we have no illusions about that—but this forces the readers to look at why they have been offended, and to truly examine their ingrained beliefs.
We agree wholeheartedly that this campus needs to discuss the subject of race, and we absolutely support the BSU in their attempts at fostering dialogue and inclusiveness. But we absolutely cannot agree with their choice to direct their arguments at an article which denounced the Klan. We support the principles behind the BSU's arguments, but we find their actions here irresponsible.
To any members of the Black Student Union reading this response, there are far better forums in which to bring your points forward, and doing so here has done your cause a disservice. By fighting this misguided fight—by choosing to fight with us at all—you trivialize all of the issues which so desperately need attention on this campus. You have taken your arguments to the level of fanaticism, and by choosing to argue about one article rather than the broader issue, you have made it easier for others to dismiss you in the future when something genuinely troubling occurs.
Sincerely yours, The Editorial Staff of The Princeton Tiger
Read More
The CPUC must not gut its Judicial Committee
Bill HewittEnding the Judicial Committee’s jurisdiction over initial complaints would embolden abuses of power, allowing the administration to evade accountability for University rule violations without the pressure of student and faculty authority.
Ending the Judicial Committee’s jurisdiction over initial complaints would embolden abuses of power, allowing the administration to evade accountability for University rule violations without the pressure of student and faculty authority.
Princeton, let’s adopt a digital prox
Jorge ReyesTo prevent pointless replacement and lockout charges, maximize convenience, and create better access to meals and facilities, Princeton should follow the precedent set by some of its peers and adopt a digital prox system.
To prevent pointless replacement and lockout charges, maximize convenience, and create better access to meals and facilities, Princeton should follow the precedent set by some of its peers and adopt a digital prox system.
What is a Princeton degree really for?
Joel IbabaoSo what, in the end, is a Princeton degree really for? I take a more moderate view: Students should prioritize earning potential — unless they feel irresistibly called to something else.
So what, in the end, is a Princeton degree really for? I take a more moderate view: Students should prioritize earning potential — unless they feel irresistibly called to something else.