Good Coverage of Student Tragedy

To the editors:

I was reading The Crimson's article on the beloved Shira Palmer-Sherman (News, Dec. 22). Shira's death has been a shock to the Horace Mann Community and we are all deeply saddened by this loss. Her sister is a member of Horace Mann and we are all grieving Miriam's loss. I know I can't even begin to imagine what she is going through.

Shira was an intelligent, talented and kind human being, and such a travesty makes me wonder why life can be so cruel. I want to thank the Harvard community for being such a supportive place in a time of tragedy, and I ask that Shira and her family be included in your prayers.

I also want to thank The Crimson staff for providing information about the death which was not available in New York. The Horace Mann Community was led to believe by an unknowing parent that Shira had passed away before the 18th and it was The Crimson that shed light on the difficult situation.

Christine Scano

New York, NY

Dec. 27, 2000

Crimson Should Be More Sensitive

To the editors:

I was deeply saddened to read of the car accident that occurred Dec. 18 (News, Dec. 19). My heart goes out to Shira's family and friends. I am sure I join the entire University in sending my sincerest condolences to them.

However, my sadness was mixed with outrage and disappointment when I read the article. Frankly, I do not understand The Crimson's choice to place the article so far down on the front page of the issue. Such a position downplayed what clearly is an important event. Looking at the other news reported on the page, I could find no discernible logic to the layout.

I am writing not simply to chastise the newspaper for what strikes me as a decision made in very poor taste. I hope that letters such as this one encourage The Crimson to think more carefully about its choices, and the statements that such choices make, in the future.

Rebecca E. Shapiro '01

Dec. 18, 2000