To the Editor:
I write in response to the April 13 editorial, "Not forgotten and not forgiven," which discourages students from supporting Mayor David Cicilline's '83 Congressional bid. I am surprised that the paper would offer such a myopic outlook on the matter. An editorial that suggests campus-wide disapproval of the student impact fee and the mayor's bid for Congress runs counter to our values at Brown.
Today, people around Providence are struggling. If we at Brown are an integral and vital part of the community, we must have a broader perspective. Our commitment to service, cited frequently in your editorial, is a reflection of this very perspective. We are, after all, citizens with a genuine stake in the community. School improvement, crime reduction and bold sustainability efforts matter. Taxes and fees are the responsibility we take for the future of the city we call home.
Mayor Cicilline has led Providence through some difficult times and ensured that it remains a dynamic place to live, study and work. As a senior, I'm impressed by my classmates who are deciding to stay in Providence because of the energy and professional opportunities the city provides.
Beyond policy, I would like to question the premise of the editorial. Disallowing support for a candidate based on one policy position runs counter to our University's core principles.
At Brown, we value nuance and deep intellectual exploration. We tackle questions with vigor, intelligence and a commitment to exploring every possible outcome. To write off Cicilline and encourage students to support his opponent — a former party boss who has never demonstrated a commitment to Brown — based on a singular issue is shortsighted and wrong. Instead, Brown students should examine each candidate with the skills and outlook fostered by our classmates, faculty and alumni, like the mayor, who came before us.
Brad Greenburg '10
April 18
