The opportunity to write for the Crimson's editorial page does not come easily or arbitrarily. The perspective pundit must compose a 250-word essay explaining their reason for aspiring to become an editorial columnist. To provide a sample of the sort of columns possible, the applicant must propose five ideas for columns. Of the ten columnists selected last semester, eight were Jewish. Apparently this number was not obvious at the time of selection because not all the Jewish students selected have names that are typically associated with a Jewish heritage. When the Jewish representation on the editorial page became more apparent, at least some at the Crimson were disturbed.
Jewish junior Justin Danielwitz, a guest columnist for the Crimson, argues that he is recently the victim of concern over the number of Jewish editorial writers. In the latest issue of the Conservative magazine Commentary, Danielwitz complained that his application for chairmanship of the Crimson editorial board was denied because of the perception by other editors that the Crimson's editorial page was too Jewish. Though the paper acknowledges that there has been concern at the paper about the disproportionate number of Jewish columnists, it denies that Danielwitz was rejected for this reason. They suggest that Danielwitz is merely irritated at being denied the position.
Sorting out the reasons for Danielwitz's rejection cannot be done fairly from afar. It is just too easy to assume the "truth" that corresponds to preconceived notions. What is bothersome is idea that the editors of the Crimson were even fretting over the question of whether there are too many Jews. What legitimate meaning could this question even have? How many is too many? Are there two many Jewish physicists, mathematicians, or musicians as well? What arbitrary percentages should we impose?
Adam Levitin, a senior and an editor for the Crimson, took the time to examine the Crimson editorial archives since July 7, 1997. Over the course of 100 issues and 300 editorial page articles Levitin found only eight articles that focused on Jewish issues. Clearly the editorial page does not wallow solely on Jewish issues to the exclusion of other concerns. There apparently was not a lack of diversity in subject matter whatever the faith of the editorial page writers.
Go To Page: 1 2
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Frank Monaldo's Conservative Politics topic, please visit the Discussions page.