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Letters

The writer is Baird Professor of Science and former chair of the Physics Department.

Cartoon Misunderstood

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To the editors:

While I agree with the sentiment expressed by Orr, Shames and Rosenfeld in their critique of Farris's portrayal of the "Ideal Harvard President" (Letters, "Cartoon Objectifies," Feb. 22), I think their anger is misdirected. I would like to point out that the image used in the cartoon--an incredibly exaggerated and emaciated female body--has been the dominant symbol in the Steve Madden advertisement campaign for over two years. I have long been appalled at the unhealthy and overtly stereotypical image of a tiny waist and gargantuan legs being sold to young women.

I immediately understood Farris's cartoon to be making fun of this preposterous image that is a constant presence throughout the U.S. We must criticize the culture that insists on proliferating such horrible images of femininity, not the cartoonist who mocks it.

Rachel S. Weinerman '03

Feb. 22, 2001

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