Oppenheim Inaccurate About Harvard

To the editors:

#I have always assumed that Noah D. Oppenheim '00 (Opinion, May 22) went about systematically attacking Harvard organizations because he found it exciting or intriguing or in some way enjoyable. I was mistaken. It seems clear by his last column that what drives him is a genuine unhappiness and disapproval of almost everything.

By adopting such a narrow and pessimistic stance toward Harvard institutions, not only has Oppenheim been inaccurate, but he has also painted a picture of Harvard for himself that he cannot enjoy. I have been a member of organizations he has criticized as well as service organizations which he seems to single out as the only worthy pursuits. He has consistently judged organizations by their weakest link and the Harvard community by one girl in a crpe shop (which he believes is indicative of a greater personality). I do not mean to defend any of the disturbing examples Oppenheim cited, but it is important to remember that these weak links are present in all facets of life. If they are all Oppenheim notices I doubt he will ever be happy.

I refuse to judge the worth of my friends by their socioeconomic status (as Oppenheim implies that I do) and I refuse to choose my activities because of their approbation in Oppenheim's eyes. When I am facing my senior week next year, I intend to tip one back with the great friends I've made and the people that I may not know as well but have still made this College a great experience for me. I will be proud of what I have done and I will look back fondly on the great experiences I have had. I wish Oppenheim luck in his noble quest to make an impact "in spite of" Harvard and I hope he someday finds a little happiness in his surroundings.

J. Clay Petre '01

May 23, 2000

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