“What Price Correctness?” (Jan. 16) was the most inimical writing I have ever come across. To think this piece of trash was written by a Harvard professor who should be teaching vision and understanding to the future leaders of this world. It is quite clear that Robert Brustein is not in favor of an egalitarian society. It seems he would prefer to hold on to the power that the middle-aged white male has enjoyed for so many centuries.
It is time that persons like Mr. Brustein realize this is a diverse society, and women and minorities are tired of ignominious treatment from men like Mr. Brustein. It is time to see that political correctness is nothing more than a call for social consciousness in a diverse society. I truly expect more intellect from a Harvard professor.
Janele Hyer-Spencer, Island Lake
My daughter attends an excellent high school in Chicago, St. Ignatius, where academic excellence is a top priority and minority students are expected to maintain that same academic excellence. The lesson all these students learn is that they must earn their way in life and prove to others that their achievements are based on ability and hard work.
Helen Rehn, La Grange
When Robert Brustein claims that a fine poet like Maya Angelou is “a writer of modest talents, obviously chosen because she is an African-American woman,” he is not being insensitive–he is lying.
It is a reflection of the extent of white male paranoia that an African-American woman cannot recite the inaugural poem or receive the Nobel Prize for Literature (Toni Morrison) without someone complaining about reverse discrimination. And it is a reflection of how little white males have suffered that those who claim to be the oppressed are Harvard professors who have their work published in major newspapers.
John K. Wilson, Chicago
In a perfect world, we would not need affirmative action or sensitivity training or political correctness to give people their natural-born rights. But it is only through these “reverse discriminations” that mainstreaming can occur.
If there had never been any civil rights movements in this country, would there still not be a backlash from someone? Mr. Brustein evidently thinks the sacrifice should not be his. But in the end, everyone will pay for the imbalance.
Marie N. Mitchell, Country Club Hills
I gave a mental “bravo” to Robert Brustein’s informative warning against political correctness. But then he stumbles over his own prejudice against “conservatives” and “reactionaries.” He never defines them, but he fears them, even more than liberal intolerance. Sorry, Mr. Brustein, but the PC virus has afflicted even you.
Cynthia Duncan, Park Ridge
Cultural, moral and educational standards have hit an all-time low: Even the Beatles and Elvis combed their hair, shaved and wore suits–and knew a sharp from a flat and played REAL instruments.
What has happened to our instructors that they no longer inspire students to achieve excellence, no matter their ethnic origins?
Philomena Frischberg, Elmwood Park
Want to hear my Robert Brustein impersonation? OK:
Societal representatives should not interfere with arts funding, for only arts directors (like myself) know “high” art when we see it. Taxpayers? The public (i.e., consumers of art)? Tell ’em to buzz off!
Since declining educational achievement and the PC phenomenon occurred roughly simultaneously, the former must be caused by the latter. Am I the only one who sees this?
What? You say articles like this foment reactionary activity? There you go trampling on the First Amendment again (sings: “God Bless America…”).
“Dumbocracy”? The kettle may be black, but Brustein’s definitely gone potty.
Daniel A. Rubenstein, Chicago
The article about political correctness was a credit to your magazine. It was a brave statement that needed to be said. Thank you. More power to you, brother! Not to leave out our sisters. And, of course, no offense to any Catholic nuns. Which does not exclude any Protestants. And on. And on. And on! (UGH!)
Carol Van Gorp, Glen Ellyn
Has Mr. Brustein considered that the “original thought” he so desires to protect might NEED a little sensitivity training? His whining about lack of financial resources for his taste in art is irritating. However, his dismissal of the mentality that FOSTERS racism and sexism is appalling and revealing (he put date rape in quotes!).
Society will compensate for this overcorrection. Attitudes such as Mr. Brustein’s are much more resistant to change.
Elizabeth W. McCarthy, Elk Grove Village
Brought up in the “melting pot” mode, which encouraged respect for every individual regardless of ethnic origin, race or gender, I find the current divisionism extremely disturbing.
As much as I once dreamed of being a reknowned ballerina, I did not expect, nor did society promise, a place to be made for me next to Alicia Alonso simply because I was a half-orphan of a widowed single parent whose grandparents had been told “Irish Need Not Apply” when they came to this country looking for work!
Jeanne Connelly Junker, Chicago
Dumbocracy must be stopped before we slip irretrievably into the darkness of Orwellian doublespeak. The really sad part about this whole situation is that it has taken such firm roots in the very institutions that are supposed to be the guardians of free speech and unfettered research and the depositories of knowledge: our colleges and universities.
Lawrence K. Bell, Chicago
Political correctness is not lowering standards of excellence but raising the stakes of civility in a diverse democracy where consensus rather than competition, teamwork rather than elitism and value-focus rather than group dogma rule our lives.
Dr. Timm Peterson, Triton College, River Grove
If “diversity,” “multiculturalism” and the complex questions that are lumped together under the misleading heading of political correctness are important–and they are–they deserve to be considered carefully and in good faith. Sadly, the Tribune prefers to reprint irresponsible and stupid second-hand material. Can’t the Tribune find its own junk?
William Fahrenbach, Chicago
One of the problems resulting from the shift to multiculturalism is a transitory lowering of standards. However, if this is the case, it is the job of both the individual professors and the university itself to recognize this, and innovate. (Anything less would be an abandonment of pedagogic responsibility.) Mr. Brustein’s response–a misanthropic yowl–reads strangely like the victimization cant he so vehemently deplores.
Jeffrey Kenny, Elmwood Park
At the height of glasnost and perestroika, the Soviet education system suspended history exams–an act of great significance to me because it meant the Soviets realized they had no official history, no “story” to test. Surely an academic like Mr. Brustein can understand the nature of history in a free society and celebrate its diversity rather than hang on to an antiquated, personally comfortable explanation of who we are as a people. I firmly believe that if those who resist this redefinition can come to grips with the process going on, our country will emerge with a definition of itself that will be as useful in the 21st Century as the one he mourns was useful in the 20th.
Sandra Deines, Park Ridge
