PSLM Protest Showed DisrespectTo the editors:
I was shocked and dismayed to read about the recent Progressive Student Labor Movement (PSLM) protest outside Loeb House during the announcement of Lawrence H. Summers as the 27th president of Harvard University (News, "PSLM Protests Search Process," March 12). Though I admire the PSLM's campaign for a living wage, and though their commitment impresses me, I now question my respect for them.
In fact, this is all about respect. One of the PSLM's goals is for Harvard to respect its workers' right to a living wage. The very least the PSLM can do, in my opinion, is offer a little respect to Summers as the new man at the top. PSLM members claim that the protest targeted the confidentiality of the selection process and not Summers himself, but the rude timing and manner of the protest still disrespected him.
As Harvard students, we should welcome Summers into our community and send him the message that we want to work together to make Harvard a better place, just as The Crimson did in its staff editorial ("Welcome, Summers," March 12). To greet him with an obnoxious protest for the sake of publicity is petty and confrontational. I challenge the PSLM in the future to accomplish their goal with the same degree of dignity and respect they claim to extend to Harvard's workers.
Jeffrey W. Helfrich '03
March 12, 2001
Read more in Opinion
Arsenic and Old StandardsRecommended Articles
-
Boston Joins Nation in WTO ProtestMore than 30 Harvard students joined hundreds of Bostonians who gathered downtown to protest the World Trade Organization (WTO) and
-
PSLM Protests Search ProcessLawrence H. Summers, soon to be the 27th president of Harvard, received an abrupt introduction to campus politics yesterday, when
-
PSLM Protest Draws Heavy Media AttentionNice weather and impeccable timing attracted about 150 students and a dozen members of the media to a rally by
-
Summers Should Speak UpThe Progressive Student Labor Movement (PSLM) and the University seem to have reached an impasse. The PSLM has attracted growing
-
It's Time, RudenstinePoor Rudy. Only a few days left as Harvard’s president, and he can’t even enjoy them. He can’t read the
-
For the PSLM, a Public Presence but Mixed SuccessWhen the 52 members of the Progressive Student Labor Movement (PSLM) entered Mass. Hall 21 days ago, spirits were high.
