Opinion

In praise of his folly: Newman’s empty crusade against elitism

The elitism identified by Newman is all too prevalent. But he is not the antidote; he is its logical extension. The only way to differentiate oneself from Princeton’s elitism is to actually help the world and topple people like Newman from their thrones of self-styled cultural supremacy.  And it is this consciousness, rather than the subpar model of a Gatsby, that should animate any practice that seeks not only to overcome the standard Princeton elitism, but the self-humiliating pretensions of Newman himself.

The elitism identified by Newman is all too prevalent. But he is not the antidote; he is its logical extension. The only way to differentiate oneself from Princeton’s elitism is to actually help the world and topple people like Newman from their thrones of self-styled cultural supremacy.  And it is this consciousness, rather than the subpar model of a Gatsby, that should animate any practice that seeks not only to overcome the standard Princeton elitism, but the self-humiliating pretensions of Newman himself.

What we can learn from the Scott Newman controversy

Read in one light, Newman’s account paints a fairly innocuous picture of a naïve young person whose short-term ambitions have repeatedly gotten in the way of his long-term goals. But there is a critical omission in Newman’s public telling of this story: his own agency in navigating a system he condemns as corrupting and beyond repair. 

Read in one light, Newman’s account paints a fairly innocuous picture of a naïve young person whose short-term ambitions have repeatedly gotten in the way of his long-term goals. But there is a critical omission in Newman’s public telling of this story: his own agency in navigating a system he condemns as corrupting and beyond repair. 

A game of broken telephone: Combatting misinformation and building trust

We should work to expose misinformation. Princeton students have already done this by tracing COVID-19 misinformation. The next step is to build up a community that allows for citizens to work together to stymie spews of suspicious stories.

The perils — and potential — of the Twitter professoriate

When our professors are able to lean into their pedagogical missions more intentionally on platforms like Twitter, it does us all better — and reminds us that the democratizing power of scholarship and critical thought, even squeezed into 280 characters, is not to be underestimated.

2020: An ugly but necessary memory

With two vaccines for COVID-19 entering new phases of testing, a semester on campus, and a new year fast approaching, some people are justifiably itching to move on. These developments should undoubtedly be celebrated, as should the prospect of a fresh start. But, just like my friend, we cannot forget everything we have been through: Instead, should find creative and healthy ways to catalogue all that has happened in 2020.

But who’s gonna support Black women?

At the end of the day, no matter how much we express gratitude for Black women, if we fail to acknowledge the ways oppressive forces mold our society against them, we are complicit in their oppression. 

Who are these ‘manly men’?

The phrase “bring back manly men” sets our society back years. Men, no matter their assigned sex, should be able to dress how they want. But this is an issue that is bigger than wardrobe. Society perpetuates the idea that men have to be strong or “manly” all the time. The term “manly” already confines men into a box, but this idea actually creates more harm for men themselves. 

Forged by fire, our generation faces its defining crucible

And when we push — with peaceful movements or record-breaking youth turnout in elections — we decide. 

As a non-citizen, I can’t vote. I still care about U.S. elections.

While voting might be the highest point in the perceived hierarchy of political participation, we can make our concerns and needs heard.

Housing must revise and clarify its disability accommodations process for on-campus spring

Allowing disabled students control over their roommates and implementing a reasonable, transparent, and well-advertised appeals process are absolutely non-negotiable for the University to truly attend to the needs of its disabled student community. This is especially true because the Housing Accommodations process has been historically unreliable, and in particular, explicitly discriminatory against students with mental and invisible disabilities.

University respects free speech rights of staff

Consistent with its statement on freedom of expression, the University encourages and supports the free expression and exchange of ideas and views by all members of our community. 

Letter from the Editor: Sustaining (campus) community

Community endures, even when we’re far from Princeton.

Amid COVID-19, we stand to benefit from interfaith dialogue

Although the opportunities for interfaith interactions afforded by Princeton’s campus are impossible to recreate, I urge us all to make room for interfaith dialogue in our lives. 

Leading in unprecedented times: A response to the Editorial Board’s endorsement

Criticizing in hindsight is easy, but being in leadership during a time like this is certainly not.

‘Speak Freely,’ except on fossil fuel divestment

It’s time to question Princeton’s romanticized view of free speech. 

Editorial Board: Vote Allen Liu ’22 for USG President

Liu demonstrates a willingness to learn — and, more importantly, a commitment to his fellow students.

Editorial Board: Vote yes on both referenda

The Board endorses both referenda, and it urges the student body to vote yes in the coming days.

Something about scandal

The news is a town hall of ideas and should encourage an intellectualism that supports that, not a critique of character based on isolated instances of wrongdoing. 

Beyond the language requirement: Allow ASL its rightful place at Princeton

ASL can and does belong at the University, which needs to demonstrate that it respects ASL’s status as a natural language and recognize ASL’s contributions to scholarship by securing a place for the language and its culture on campus without further delay.

Amid uncertainty, an opportunity for growth

Over the last several months, something new has taken hold within and around us. It’s not just uncertainty about what lies ahead. It’s a sort of meta-uncertainty: an unstable framework of constantly shifting time horizons that offers a poor foundation for decision-making. A long and uncomfortable silence in response to the question, “when do we finally get to know again?”