United States Must Have Global Consciousness

To the editors:

Sarah E.M. Wood's article on the less than stellar role the United States plays in international relations (Op-Ed, Oct. 26) illustrated the profound need for increased public understanding of world affairs. Unfortunately, Americans have a rather irritating habit of welcoming isolationism and ignoring problems on the global level because they are someone else's. Like it or not, the nations of the world are becoming more interdependent and isolationism is an even more dangerous policy than it was in years past. I sincerely hope that the United Nations Week here at Harvard will at least raise student consciousness about the role the U.S. should play in international affairs.

It is not just the apathy of the general public that afflicts American thought in regard to global politics, even our leaders seem as though they couldn't care less about what's going on in the rest of the world. We have presidential candidates who require the assistance of their advisors to point out places like Kosovo on maps. This kind of ignorance of the rest of the world will only work to hurt the United States in the long run.

It is unfortunate that so much of world politics is decided by one player, the United States. It is even more unfortunate that this one important actor in international affairs seems completely disinterested and apathetic. We have to stop assuming that safety and freedom from fear are protections that should be guaranteed only to Americans (and perhaps their close allies). Issues of global concern must be our concern as well. It is not enough to condemn violence and bloodshed. The U.S. must take a more active role in international relations and the first step toward this goal is more active participation in and support for the United Nations. It is time for the U.S. to pay its back dues to the U.N. and wake up and realize that global politics are important.

Nahal Kazemi '02

Oct. 25, 1999

The writer is the president of the Harvard Model United Nations Security Council.

Giving Up Is Not the Answer

To the editors:

Regarding your article about unfairness in casting in the Harvard-Radcliffe Drama Club (HRDC) (News, Oct. 21), I will not go so far as to suggest that such unfairness does not exist. But I would urge these students who felt discriminated against to talk to directors about their feelings and concerns, and not to avoid a person or show based on a background of mainstream casting.

I hope that those who feel discouraged from auditioning because of mostly majority casting will keep trying. By excluding yourself from the beginning, you eliminate all chance for a more fair representation.

I believe that the attempt in the large majority of HRDC productions is to cast solely on merit, and willingness to cast across racial or gender lines exists. Simply shutting ourselves off from communication is not the answer.

Mary C. Campbell '01

Oct. 23, 1999

The writer is a former member of HRDC.