Word: maleness
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...Gill's comment on male-contraceptive ads told of the interesting Roman and Israelite custom of swearing by the male genitalia [LETTERS, May 31]. It should be noted, however, that the most common usage of the word testis in Latin texts is as a term for a witness, as in a court case. Thus an etymologist would note that the English word testicle is derived directly from the Roman custom of swearing by the genitals, and that every man carries his own "little witnesses." (And my parents have been wondering what I would do with my degree in classics.) CANDACE...
...proud of the fact that Harvard was once all male, or that non-white males weren't always included as sons? No, I am not. There will always be elements of the past we would never want to celebrate, but it is impossible to change the reality of it. However, I am not celebrating historic injustices when I choose the old lyrics over the new ones. I am acknowledging the new Harvard, the one that considers me to be one of its sons, just as I see myself as part of its grand and glorious tradition...
This year, the NCAA gave Stauffer its highest honor, the "Today's Top VIII" award, naming her one of the nation's top undergraduate athletes in any sport or division, male or female...
...best guess is the lyrics were changed because "thy sons" is a remnant of Harvard's exclusively male past. The lyric is not meant to constantly remind Harvard women that they have not always been full and equal members of the University. But it can. Women's reactions to the phrase "thy sons" range from complete acceptance to indifference to outrage. So why is my reaction somewhere between the first two? As a woman, I should embrace the politically correct change. After all, the Harvard that sang only of its sons is one that didn't want...
...proud of the fact that Harvard was once all male, or that non-white males weren't always included as sons? No, I am not. There will always be elements of the past we would never want to celebrate, but it is impossible to change the reality of it. However, I am not celebrating historic injustices when I choose the old lyrics over the new ones. I am acknowledging the new Harvard, the one that considers me to be one of its sons, just as I see myself as part of its grand and glorious tradition...