Opinion

The case for blind grading

Blind grading is a convenient way to ensure fair grading, preventing the rewarding of favorites, those who turn in good work first, and those who speak well in precept, while being fair to those who can sometimes cause trouble, took some time to find their footing in a class, and those who are quiet in precept. 

Liberals, learn to listen

By pushing to disinvite Hotovely, progressive Jews on Princeton’s campus are legitimizing the attempts on the opposite side of the political map to disinvite leaders of organizations such as Breaking the Silence, which is comprised of Israelis who shed light on the destructive nature of the continued military occupation of the West Bank. But more importantly, they are stopping themselves from fully understanding the political and religious realities of Israel. If the American Jewish community wants to exercise influence over Israel, the first step must be to appreciate its multifaceted, frustrating, and seemingly incomprehensible existence.

Letter to the Editor: On Hotovely and the dangers of moral panic in response to the AJP

In the interest of fair and open conversation, I challenge members of the AJP to an open debate on the importance of hard conversation on campus and invite the CJL to sponsor a dialog about this.

It should be easier to get to New York City

The university has no control over the fares of New Jersey Transit or Megabus, but could facilitate a more cost effective and efficient way for students to get to the city. 

Friends with (emotional and health) benefits

Everyone has to create their own work-social life balance and must, then, make their own decisions about how social integration and interaction plays a role in their life. But they must also remember that friendship, if fostered and nurtured, will help keep them emotionally and physically healthy for years to come.

Putting federal sentencing on trial

To achieve a universally comprehensive criminal justice reform, the federal judicial system should assume its role in the effort to differentiate the treatment for violent and non-violent offenders.

#MeToo, but what about everybody else?

My problem with the idea is not with the posts themselves - I support going public as a way for women to remove the stigma from being a victim of sexual harassment and assault, and I think owning that experience through public statements can be empowering. Women should not have to expose themselves to the voyeurism of social media and perform the emotional labor of publicly owning and explaining their past trauma in order to show men the “magnitude of the problem.” The magnitude should be clear by now. It has been happening for LITERALLY ever. This is a problem. Most women who have had any experience as women are not shocked by the Weinstein accusations, because they have seen and/or lived this all multiple times before.

Letter to the Editor: AJP commends CJL’s postponement of Hotovely talk

Chabad at Princeton picked up sponsorship for an address by Tzipi Hotovely, a member of Israel’s Knesset, and Hotovely spoke to a full lecture hall of students — including many members of the Alliance of Jewish Progressives — as planned, but without CJL sponsorship. 

Letter From the Editor: DACA

A piece of documentation should not stand in the way of a person’s dreams. It’s on all of us to make undocumented people’s dreams a reality. 

Rethinking the academy: Opposing the conflation of the Academy with Western Academy

Then the realization hit: there is an unstated, but unquestioned, notion across humanities and social science that the Academy refers only to Western Academy (used broadly to refer to European and North American academia), and if something hasn’t been said in the Western Academy, it is as though it has never been said.

Letter from the Editor: Reflection on campus discourse

Today, so many of us mourn the lives lost in a mass shooting at a church in San Antonio – a gross violation of the sanctity of a place of worship and its community. Today, I hang my head in shame at our collective inaction and complacency. As a journalist, I hang my head in shame at the proliferation of fake news and a double standard in the reporting on recent attacks. As a student, I hang my head in shame at our silence. Prayers and condolences are not enough, so I ask each of us to critically consider our capacity and responsibility to act in the service of humanity. Our campus community seems confined to politically polarized echo chambers, and it can be rare to find a platform for discussion across ideological differences, as opposed to vitriolic debate defined by identity politics. I invite you to engage directly with someone who does not share your race, faith, or political stance, because we are all part of one community and the onus is on each and every one of us to act in its service.

Letter to the Editor: Statement opposing Tzipi Hotovely’s visit to the Center for Jewish Life

By inviting MK Hotovely to speak, the Center for Jewish Life violates its own official policy on Israel-related events, which states that “The CJL will not, however, sponsor groups or speakers that, as a matter of policy or practice, foster an atmosphere of incivility, intend to harm Israel, or promote racism or hatred of any kind.” In clear violation of this policy, Hotovely has repeatedly made racist statements. 

Birth control is healthcare

The author of a recent Prince column would presumably take issue with Merriam-Webster. According to Thomas Clark, birth control should not be considered healthcare because it “suppresses the natural function of the reproductive system” or “counteract(s) normal bodily operation” — to be contrasted with other therapies “that treat illnesses or disorders and seek to return the body to health.” 

Existing elitism: The pass/list system

While it makes sense that the members should have a say in who gets to enter their club, the pass/list system is a prime example of the prevailing elitism on campus. 

Letter to the Editor: Don't boo, vote

If you want to help create a bulwark of states against the Trump Administration and prevent a further power imbalance in state and national politics, follow President Barack Obama’s advice: “Don’t Boo. Vote!”

All Tricks, No Treats

Letter to the Editor: Response to Jon Ort

I want to affirm that some, hopefully many, Princeton University librarians are keenly aware of and concerned about privacy issues, especially in an online environment.

Princeton, possibility, and living in the moment

When we stay in the library until 2 a.m. to finish that problem set or to read that scholarly text, we are not doing so simply because we cannot get enough of differential equations or the wisdom of Nietzsche. The future employers and others that we must impress to achieve professional happiness appreciate a strong academic record. In other words, there is a profound thirst for future possibility among Princetonians.

Letter to the Editor: Live criticism — critique as care, idealism as necessity

Ultimately, my critics and I agree: Let’s make use of the fabulous space we now have, dynamically and with heart. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t also question it.

Before proceeding, ponder privacy

If I really wanted to keep my identity secret, I would not maintain an online presence. Despite my recent adoption of Duck Duck Go, I have already forfeited a good deal of personal information by searching on the Internet, establishing online accounts, and making digital purchases.