Don’t forget the arts

I would like to thank Calder Stembel for his recent Opinions piece about the arts at GW (April 24, p. 4). As a member of GW’s arts community, I find that we are an often-overlooked part of the University.

GW is constantly publicizing how every GW student will experience at least one presidential election or how you can intern on Capitol Hill for your state’s senator. Not once do I hear our University talking about interning for one of the many art galleries in Dupont Circle or seeing the only Leonardo da Vinci painting not located in Europe at the National Gallery of Art. D.C. is not only a city of politics, it is a city booming with the arts.

The University’s actions speak for themselves. From the recent issues with the use of Lisner Downstage for student theater productions, to the cutting of fine arts classes and beginner music classes, GW is falling short when it comes to the arts. For a school that offers Presidential Arts scholarships to those who want to study the arts, the University does not provide the necessary classes to talented artists, musicians and actors.

The University needs to revive these programs, and in the words of Mr. Stembel, “Stop pretending that it can offer decent arts programs.”

Mi Sun Kwon, Junior

Elevate the political discussion

Andrew Clark’s editorial about Sen. Barack Obama’s comments (April 24, p. 4) are an accurate and tragic reflection of this increasingly meaningless election. In a year that the American people ought to be setting a new course, one that moves beyond 47 million Americans being uninsured, a Gulf Coast still in ruins, an impending food and climate crisis, a debacle in Iraq and a failing policy in Afghanistan, “this election is about image.”

The disgrace over Obama’s comments is not that he made them, regardless of how poorly phrased they were. What people ought to be outraged about is that his comments have been turned into a top news story in this year of decision.

While the mainstream media is only doing what it does best by treating the American people like a bunch of three-year-olds, students paying $50,000 a year for their education ought to know better. This generation has a sacred obligation to move the politics of this country beyond controversies about pastors (both Obama’s and Sen. John McCain’s), flag pins and cleavage, or we will end up paying for the mistakes of our parents and grandparents for a very long time.

Alexander Tucciarone, Senior