Word: mahtani
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...Sahil K. Mahtani ’08, a Crimson associate editorial chair, is a history concentrator in Winthrop House...
...Sahil K. Mahtani ’08, a Crimson associate editorial chair, is a history concentrator in Winthrop House...
Several weeks ago, a comment appeared on this page attacking the president of the Harvard Republican Club (HRC). The writer, Sahil K. Mahtani ’08, objected to an e-mail the president—identified only as W, though anybody who follows campus politics would have recognized the reference to Stephen E. Dewey ’07—had sent to an open list. The e-mail condemned the “queer movement,” claiming that its ultimate goal was a “man-animal BDSM orgy in Copley square...
This argument has some surface validity. People from all political persuasions should be entitled to respect. If Mahtani had made disparaging remarks about Dewey’s mother, I would be the first to object. But Mahtani has been criticized for doing exactly what should be done in an environment of free and open debate. Though his criticism was harsh, it was focused on the idiocy of Dewey’s beliefs, not the integrity of his character. If civility demands that we politely stand complacent while public figures on this campus openly trash a movement for equal rights, then...
...most common argument I’ve heard against Mahtani’s comment simply doesn’t hold water. Everybody I’ve talked to agrees: Mahtani may be right, but he should have stuck to critiquing Dewey’s ideas rather than resorting to ad hominem attacks. But they have it wrong; Mahtani’s criticism wasn’t an ad hominem attack. It was based entirely on beliefs that Dewey has publicly advocated. Mahtani just pointed out that Dewey’s public comments are radical, misguided and a bit nuts. This...