To the Editor:
Not only is it unfortunate that the dignity of the protest led by the Hanover High students was parodied by the pro-war "demonstration" staged in response to it, but the gratuitous coverage provided by The Dartmouth was irresponsible and inflammatory. The half-assed circus act staged in the face of a global crisis, could muster only inflammatory signs and empty rhetoric. Phrases such as "Up with Women, Down With Taliban, Bomb 'Em!" are insulting; not only do they make light of grave events, but they also serve to undermine attempts at a thoughtful and respectful discourse in response to the violence. It is disappointing also to have both protests covered in the same article, considering that one is part of a series of thoughtful actions, including a letter-writing campaign, while the other started, as The Dartmouth described, as a mere joke, an inappropriate whim of Mr. Grossman and most certainly unworthy of a front page photograph.
There is a fundamental difference between a protest for peace and a counter-protest for war -- the latter being a gratuitous display of callousness which flagrantly disrespects the sanctity of human life. We would like to see the campus and members of its community, including Mr. Grossman, reflect more on the meaning of grief and the climate of mourning that should be allowed for and encouraged on the campus.
The Minus Green: Nell Boeschenstein '02
Chris Van Ginhoven GR,Kathy Grayson '02
Oliver Kramer '02,Hillary Miller '02 Matt Siegle '02, Eric Smillie '02, Nik Steinberg '02
Laura Tepper '02, Kristjan Thorgiersson '02
