Friday Forum

The wrong choice

To the Editor:

President Amy Gutmann seemed a little too star-struck by offering glowing praise for the announcement that Jodie Foster will be the Commencement speaker for the Class of 2006 ("Actress Foster to address seniors," DP, 2/28/06).

Gutmann raves that Foster has used her tremendous talents to bring before an international audience such weighty social issues as violence against women, parent-child relationships and the challenges faced by women in traditionally male professions.

While this is a noble calling, and Foster's are admirable accomplishments, as one of the top five schools in the nation, Penn can and should do better than a choice facilitated, or at least supported, by Gutmann's questionable "identity politics." Her politics about gender and race are evidenced, among other places, in her book Color Conscious -- a rhetorical euphemism for invidious racial preferences and her attack on color-blind public policy.

The Foster decision is a shot to the gut and to the sensibilities of the entire Class of 2006. Penn can do better with someone more renowned and inclusive toward the entire student body.

Thanks but no thanks -- the pomp and circumstance of my graduation ceremony should not be a forum for social theories about women any more than they should be about men.

Scott Robinson

Wharton senior

The right choice

To the Editor:

I am a law student who looks forward to graduation day. It is with some dismay that I have read the reports in The Daily Pennsylvanian indicating that some members of the senior class are unhappy with the selection of Jodie Foster as the graduation speaker.

I think Foster is a wonderful choice.

Being somewhat older than the members of the senior class, I watched Jodie Foster grow up before my eyes.

I witnessed how well she handled adversity when John Hinckley attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan in order to win her favor. I was impressed by the fact that she chose to go to college despite the fact that, as a successful actress, she didn't have to obtain a degree in order to obtain a high-paying job.

Finally, I have witnessed her carve out a career as an actress and director by making choices she wishes to make, not by choosing projects that are sure to be a commercial success. In image-obsessed Hollywood, her choices are very brave, and the graduating class could learn from that.

I had not planned to attend the ceremony in Franklin Field, but the choice of Foster as the graduation speaker has assured my presence there. She is a wonderful choice.

Elizabeth TobioThird-year Law studentOther top speakers

To the Editor:

Fifty years ago, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., the United States representative to the United Nations, addressed Penn's 200th graduating class. Twenty-five years later, Vernon Jordan, who in his career was executive director of the United Negro College Fund and president of the National Urban League, spoke about the need to ensure that everyone had an equal opportunity to fulfill the American Dream.

These two should have served as examples as officials chose the speaker to address the University's 250th graduating class. Unfortunately, this was not the case. This University deserves a speaker who shares the ideals of Benjamin Franklin: someone who works tirelessly to improve the world in which we live through public service or scientific advancement.

Possible speakers who fit this mold are easy to think of. President Clinton, the overwhelming choice of most seniors, quickly comes to mind. Sen. Arlen Specter, a Penn grad and Pennsylvania's longest serving senator would also have been a wonderful choice.

Because Franklin was also a scientist and an inventor, Apple Computer Inc. CEO Steve Jobs and Peter Diamandis should also have been near the top of the list. Diamandis is the chairman of the X-Prize Foundation, which has the not-so-humble goal of revolutionizing low price, private space travel. But these are just four out of the hundreds of men and women who have been leaders in the country that Franklin helped create.

I understand that there are many constraints when selecting a Commencement speaker, but Jodie Foster is a disastrous choice.

The Commencement speaker, particularly at such a significant milestone, should embody the principles that Franklin espoused. The administration chose a speaker that does not sufficiently fit the occasion nor honor Franklin's legacy, and for that they should be ashamed.

Chris Mills

College senior

Reasons to give

To the Editor:

I have to say I was disgusted by Cezary Podkul's article ("Cartoons ought to be printed," DP, 2/21/06).

"It's a sad day when America's flagship newspaper and others base their editorial decisions on fear of violence rather than what best informs their readers," he wrote, and then went on to call The New York Times cowardly.

No!

I am relieved that we have finally shown some wisdom! Heaven forbid that an influential institution like the Times decides to factor respect for humanity into its decisions and is claiming some responsibility for what its articles can do.

This respect, understanding and responsibility might just rub off on its readers. And that's a bad thing, right?

Natalie HamiltonCollege freshman

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