To the Students of the WSA, and the editors of the Argus:
We write to you as a group of former Argus editors in chief, who support the Black Lives Matter movement. Like another group of former editors who have written to you, we also support continued funding for the paper and celebrate the blessings of a free press.
We recognize, however, that the op/ed appearing in the Argus caused pain, grief, and anger to many people on campus.
It’s our belief that addressing the difficult issues of racism and intersectionality, and giving voice to the many struggles of its readers, ought to be among the proper functions of a campus newspaper. For some of us, it was working at the Argus itself, in fact, that helped us learn the value of how the written word can be a catalyst for social change.
Among our cohort are people who have dedicated their lives to protesting injustice in its many forms. We would hate for future Wesleyan students to be denied the chance to learn the power of good, strong and free reporting, research, and storytelling. It was this gift, acquired during many long nights at the Argus, that changed our lives, and inspired us to try to create a better world through writing.
We urge the WSA to continue funding the Argus so that this good work may continue.
Sincerely
Jennifer Finney Boylan
Anna Quindlen Writer in Residence at Barnard College of Columbia University
New York Times Contributing Opinion Writer
National Co-Chair, Board of Directors, GLAAD
Wesleyan Argus Editor-in-Chief, Spring 1980
As joined by:
Tim Redmond, Argus Editor in Chief, 1979
Laura Fraser and Ken Edelstein, Argus Editors in chief, 1980-81
Boylan is a member of the Class of 1980.