Responsibility for our campus community

As alumni who care deeply about this University, we are profoundly disappointed by the "joke" issue of The Daily Princetonian published last Wednesday.

Over the last several days, we have received a flood of emails from our alumni community and current students expressing outrage, disgust, offense, hurt and embarrassment about the op-ed littered with Asian stereotypes. Worse still, while many withheld judgment initially, they were then further angered that the subsequent editorial note did not acknowledge an error of judgment or convey true remorse.

Let us be clear. This is not about free speech or a simple matter of comedic taste. The first amendment protects an individual's right to compose and circulate whatever content they wish under their own name. However, once an individual publishes content under the banner of the 'Prince' and consequently under the reputation of Princeton University as a whole, they have a responsibility to the community at large.

We feel that the "surprise" about the public response and the rejection of "allegations of racism" reflect a lack of sensitivity about the history and experience of Asians in America and on campus. It also feeds upon the perception that this community will not stand up and speak up for itself. Imagine similar content directed at another ethnic group or based on sexual orientation or religion — such stereotypes would have not have passed the "litmus" test of what is acceptable, nor should it in this case. Further, the fact that the oped was penned by a diverse group of students does not excuse poor judgment or make it more acceptable.

Current students may not fully appreciate how their paths were paved by the many generations of alumni who came before them, many of whom still bear the emotional scars from their experiences in an environment that was much less welcoming of difference in all of its forms. To some degree, Princeton still bears an underlying stigma in popular culture and mainstream media as a bastion of conservatism and elitism that does not reflect the full diversity of the campus today.

Many of us have been working hard over the years to overcome those perceptions and help shed light on an institution that has changed and continues to evolve. We have seen the University make great strides in its efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive campus climate through its financial aid policy, decision to end early decision, support of student-led organizations, the alumni-led Princeton Prize in race relations, efforts to create social alternatives on campus and conferences to bring alumni of color back into the fold.

Sadly, incidents such as this one can, in a brief moment, set back years of shared progress toward Princeton's aspirations and achievements in these areas. At a time when the spotlight is already on Princeton from the civil suit regarding Asian-American admissions, the "joke" issue has now made its rounds on the internet and registered in the public press to be viewed by Princetonians, non-Princetonians and, perhaps most importantly, newly admitted students and prospective applicants who are still forming their opinions about Princeton, its student body and the campus environment. The damage has been done, and we now all face the collective task of repairing our civil discourse and salvaging our University's reputation.

So how does this become an educable moment? What are the things that we can each do to participate in a process of reconciliation and improved understanding? We would propose an honest dialogue about the real issues at hand — equity and access, mainstream and margins, history and legacy — and taking an active role in creating the kind of community and institution we would again be proud to call our own. It is also an opportune moment to explore the reasons why courses in Asian-American studies have a role to play in the life of the University.

We invite the 'Prince,' the student body and the University community as a whole to continue this conversation with us through campus forums and discussions during upcoming alumni gatherings (e.g., Alumni Day and Reunions). At the end of the day, this is not just about the hurt and anger experienced by a number of Asian American students and alumni but rather how we all conduct ourselves as members of the Princeton community.

While the initial oped left us speechless, let us be clear about one thing — we are not a silent population, nor should the University community be collectively silent when addressing issues of difference and tolerance that impact us all. April Chou '96 writes on behalf of the Asian American Alumni Association of Princeton's Board of Governors. She may be reached at aachou@alumni.princeton.edu. Board of Governors, Asian American Alumni Association of Princeton Mo Chen '80 Youngsuk "YS" Chi '83 Rebecca Choi '00 April Chou '96, Chair Yeiichi "Kelly" Kuwayama '40 Rika Nakazawa '95, Secretary Joyce Chen Shueh '96, Vice Chair Sue-Jean Lee Suettinger '70 Qui Vuong '84 Cindy Wong '96 David S. Wu '79, Treasurer