The Power of Historical Memories in Shaping Post-Civil War Events
By Joey Lyons, V Form
The Power of Historical Memories in Shaping Post-Civil War Events
What is democracy? Andrew Jackson said, “Democracy is majority rule, pure and simple.” In a democracy, those who are legally entitled to vote are supposed to be able to participate in the democratic process. After the Civil War, Americans resolved to include blacks in America’s democracy. The promise of this democratic expansion, however, was crushed after Reconstruction. Those who sought to reestablish white rule in the South, the Redeemers, disenfranchised African Americans. To enact this major contraction of American democracy, the Redeemers needed to alter the meaning of the Civil War. While the war was fought over conflicting viewpoints on federalism and
the morality of slavery, the Redeemers wanted to eliminate racial equality as one of the issues of the war. In order to do so, white southerners, despite losing the war’s battles, sought to win its memory. Southerners put forth the “Lost Cause” theory, whereby slavery was not seen as a cause of the war. (more…)
Babies Are Babies: Multiple Viewpoints on IVF
By Faith White, VI Form
Babies Are Babies: Multiple Viewpoints on IVF
My older siblings are twins, scientifically made in a lab, test tube babies. Scientists wearing white coats created them, in a Petri dish. Just like 4 million other children, they would not be here without science and medicine. Despite its many success stories, however, IVF has brought about many ideological controversies involving religion, ethics, and socioeconomics. But had it not been for my IVF siblings and my mother’s reproductive system resetting, I am not sure that I would ever be born. The question remains, however, should a couple that is struggling to conceive for one reason or another, but is able to pay to use IVF to have the baby that they have always wanted, benefit while (more…)
Please Comment–Should Byblis Be Pitied, Condemned, or Both?
By Allegra Forbes, V Form
Please Comment–Should Byblis Be Pitied, Condemned, or Both?
Click Here for Allegra’s Ovid Website!
This past month the Latin III H class read and translated various chapters from Ovid’s narrative poem Metamorphoses, in which the author gives subtle social commentary on Roman politics and morals through his adaptations of metamorphosis myths from the Hellenistic tradition. As a final project for the unit, I created this website to display my work on the myth of Byblis, the tragic tale of a river nymph consumed with lust for her twin brother Caunus. When I finished my first draft of the translation I was still torn as to whether tormented Byblis should be pitied or condemned (or perhaps both?), so I added a survey page to the website so that others can contribute their opinions on the matter.
Please comment! I would love to publish a compilation of different people’s answers. (more…)
Self Obligation, Patriotic Obligation, or Family Obligation? I’m with Antigone
By Abby Peloquin, IV Form
Self Obligation, Patriotic Obligation, or Family Obligation? I’m with Antigone
Throughout Antigone, the question of what is most important in the lives of the characters varies greatly. Creon professes his deepest devotion to his country through his actions concerning Polynices and Antigone; Antigone, on the other hand, remains steadfast in her beliefs in family as she sacrifices her life and marriage for the sake of burying her brother. I mirror the meritorious attitude of Antigone – my family, more than any material or human law–is the most essential part of my life. They are the basis of my existence, the platform upon which I draw myself together and carry on my journey of life, and the arms that hold me and guide me through the turmoil set before me. (more…)
Through a Different Lens – A Book, Blood, and Altruism: Thinking About Philanthropy
By William Bagley, Advancement Office
Through a Different Lens – A Book, Blood, and Altruism: Thinking About Philanthropy
On a corner in Cambridge in 1974, a day before taking my graduate degree, a favorite professor stopped me and offered a book. He described it as “something you have to read.” Though I had visions of reading a Trollope novel on a beach on Cape Cod, I could not say no. The book, written by Richard Titmuss, changed my life. Its title is The Gift Relationship.[1]
In the late 1960’s, Titmuss was a professor at the London School of Economics. His academic interests would lead him to study philanthropy – but in a very distinctive way.
Rather than look at philanthropy expressed as gifts of money, he looked at philanthropy in the (more…)
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