Word: boyde
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Usually being one to defend political cartoonists from those who are inclined to take their art too seriously, I feel a bit odd writing a letter to complain about the insulting and tasteless "Boyd's Eye View" you published on April 20. But Boyd's cartoon means to be taken seriously, and the subject matter is important enough that I can't avoid feeling insulted. The cartoon shows a coat-and-tie clad college student with the label "New Conservatism" with a demonic, whip-holding shadow labeled "New Collegiate Racism...
...Boyd's cartoon offends, and hurts our ability to deal with the very real problems of deteriorating race relations on campus. First, it is just not true. I resent the fact that wild and irresponsbile charges force me into having to "prove" that I and my fellow conservatives are not racist bigots. How is one to defend against such accusations, anyway? What could I possible say here that would "prove" that I believe in human dignity, equality and liberty as much as anyone alive...
...other hand, Boyd is referring to the conservative students gaining numbers on college campuses around the nation, he again evaluates the nature of this trend poorly. While most "conservative" students favor stronger national defense and less government interference in the economy, the overwhelming majority fit the label of "liberal" on social issues such as racial injustice...
...Boyd's cartoon becomes even more ridiculous when the growing number of Black conservatives is considered. People like William Lucas (former candidate for Governor in Michigan) and Glenn Loury (Assistant Secretary of Education) can hardly be labeled a racist. The desire of many Blacks for a level playing field rather than free points at the end of the game is simply a different approach to the same problem of racial biases. It is no less a quest for Black rights...
...conclusion, we should consider what Boyd's cartoon does to the term "racism." It only dilutes further a word that has already lost most of its meaning. By calling all conservatives racist, he robs the charge of its impact when it is leveled against people who really are racist. Political cartoons should elucidate an issue, not cloud it. Boyd's "Eye Vision" seems to be quite near-sighted. Kris W. Kobach '88 President, Harvard Republican Club