Nevertheless, there is a real world. Over 1000 PBHA volunteers go out into it every week, trying to help solve the real problems that are faced by real people. In the real world something like Proposition 1-2-3 can leave hundreds of low-income tenants facing eviction. In the real world, a well-meaning but ignorant student volunteer can convince an unhappy urban child that everyone screws you over eventually, especially people from Harvard.
PBHA isn't a college daily, blithely irresponsible for the effects of its actions. It is a human service organization that annually affects the lives of 15,000 people in the community. The PBHA Cabinet consists of the directors of 36 different social service and social action committees, all accountable to the community to provide effective and respectful services.
That's why we emphasize training and orientation for volunteers. That's why we think it's important to provide structured opportunities for people to reflect critically on their volunteer work. And yes, sometimes this involves thinking about "political" issues. This is not exactly a radical earth-shattering observation; most social service organizations take it for granted.
I never thought that I would find myself quoting George Bush, that farfamed Point of Light. But I need to now. Crimson, read my lips: "Greater involvement in electoral politics" is not favored by anyone in PBHA, as far as I know. You are printing irresponsible articles based on misinformation. This is harmful to PBHA's efforts to work effectively within the community.
IN THE future, when The Crimson decides to return to printing real news, perhaps a story could be done on Project Literacy's new programs for single mothers and Harvard Dining Services workers. Or maybe a story could be done on the record number of PBHers who go into public interest jobs after graduation. Or on any of PBHA's 60 programs. It will be a great day when the Real World makes the front page of The Harvard Crimson.
Rosa Ehrenreich '91 is president of Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA).