Campus Poll

Author: [no author name found]

RESPONSES

According to Al Sharpton, it's not very nice to die and leave a poor preacher the arduous task of fabricating your life's contributions for all those at your funeral. As a preacher himself, he would prefer to not have to hallucinate that your passing through life mattered.

Sharpton's appraisal that advocacy and activism are what give life value was vastly oversimplified. His assumption that a life without activism is meaningless shows a lamentable failure to think beyond what he has chosen to pursue in his own life. Are the lives of people who have never marched, yet have forged strong relationships with a few family members, empty? Will the existence of those who have never signed a petition - or even cared that a petition exists - have been purposeless regardless of scientific discoveries they may have made or personal goals they've met?

There are many kinds of people in the world, and we all live in different situations, have different interests and hold different aspirations dear. How can a successful life be defined by a single parameter? That activism and advocacy are what give meaning to Sharpton's life does not mean that they are or should be the center of meaning for all.

- Miriam Johnson '10

Yeah, I though he gave a great speech and was very funny and articulate. Also, some of the questions asked by students gave the ideas and issues (e.g. race on campus) the Reverend was speaking about a greater relevance.

- Matthew Yaggy '12

Yes, being that Middlebury is a place of higher learning, I think it's important that we are exposed to a variety of speakers and viewpoints. Although I think the College could've made better use of the money spent on Reverend Sharpton.

- Tim O'Grady '12

No. Considering the economy right now, I think that the money we spent to bring Reverend Al, no matter how much, would be better put to use towards someone's financial aid package next year.

- Nick Derrico '12