LETTERS: No excuse for Gen-X apathy

To the Editor: The fundamentally rotten nature of the "Generation-X" (translation: a majority of young people's) approach to politics is exposed, paradoxically, in a column whose express purpose is to laud it. Brus himself unconsciously illuminates the illiberal and ideologically reactionary nature of what he claims is the pragmatic, "anti-ideological," Generation-Xer understanding of the world. Take the author's self-satisfied musings on his own "liberalism." Are we supposed to applaud when Brus absolves his Spanish instructor of the sin of possessing socialist beliefs? ("My Spanish instructor was a socialist, though in a way I don't blame him.") Are we meant to rejoice at the author's open-mindedness in accepting the presence of socialists within the academy ("The interesting thing is, I didn't particularly mind that my professor was a tenured radical.")? The liberalism of Generation-Xers obviously knows no bounds! The delusions of the author do not stop there. He proclaims that his politics have matured and thus become more pragmatic. Or, as he puts it himself, "I flatter myself that my politics is [sic] more mature and less ideological." Even if we let pass the more than dubious attempt to link political maturity with an anti-ideological outlook, a brief glance at Brus' column confirms that he is indeed flattering himself in believing his political outlook less than ideological. Underneath the cant about a mature, pragmatic political outlook, the columnist's ideological leanings are evident. When Brus states that "in 1968 there were issues worthy of mass protest, like war and civil rights. In 1998 there are problems? but nothing so egregious as to merit the blunt intervention of a frenzied political movement," he is making an explicitly ideological statement. How else can we interpret a statement that blithely asserts that such issues as the massive poverty endured by America's lower orders, the ever-widening gap between rich and poor, and the endemic racism of U.S. society are not worthy of mass protest. The author, of course, is not to be singled out. His delusion concerning the nature of his own politics merely reflects the wider delusions of those who declare themselves less than ideological. When all is said and done, the purportedly liberal, pragmatic political approach of Generation-X is an illusion, a smokescreen which masks a wholesale acceptance by many young people of inequality, injustice and oppression. As Brus himself points out, instead of fighting for justice, Generation-X is off writing computer software or earning an advanced degree. Gregg McClymont SAS Graduate Program We haven't forgotten To the Editor: This is in response to David Glasner's letter noting that no teachers participated in this year's College Career Fair ("Don't forget teachers," DP, 11/13/98). His point is well taken. It was certainly not our intention to slight the teaching profession. The College Career Fair is sponsored by the College Alumni Society and depends on its members to volunteer for this event. Each year, we try to have a broad representation of the many and varied careers open to students in the School of Arts and Sciences. Unfortunately, the teachers who have participated in years past were unable to do so this time and no others came forward. They have assured me that they will return. I hope we will see Mr. Glasner next year. Sandra Bush Kuby, CW'51 President, College Alumni Society Library not accessible To the Editor: I have a serious concern regarding the new library entrance. After climbing the steps in front of the library and entering the front door, I noticed that one of the turnstiles seems to be specifically designed to be handicapped accessible. However, it is virtually impossible for a handicapped person to climb the steps leading up to the entrance! Without a ramp, how do the designers of this new entrance expect handicapped patrons to utilize this new handicapped-accessible turnstile? After all we have heard about the costs of the library renovations, why would we bother spending money on a handicapped-accessible turnstile, if the entrance is in no way handicapped accessible? Of course, the entrance to Rosengarten is available for those needing easier access. However, the turnstiles still in use at Rosengarten, both when entering and exiting, are small and cumbersome. Thus, a handicapped person entering Rosengarten would probably have to ask for special assistance. Clearly, the designers of the new library entrance did not consider the needs of all the library's patrons when carrying out their plans. I hope that something will be done soon to remedy this problem. Michelle Weinberg College '99