The Context

To the Editors of the Crimson:

On December 4, the Crimson printed an article by Monique Sullivan on the RUS faculty-student dinner. In summarizing my brief speech the reporter pulled the quote "I am at Harvard because of affirmative action" out of context. I became aware of this indiscretion because four students questioned me about the article before my Tuesday lecture. One woman implored, "Did you really say this? I don't believe it!" in a horrified tone which plagued me all day. Several women who attended the dinner were furious at the implication which could be drawn because the quote had been taken out of context. When my anger subsided, I decided to dismiss the issue as a case of irresponsible journalism.

My resolve to forget the matter did not last long. A student in my afternoon section who had not attended the dinner asked for an explanation so she could respond to her friends questions. During the course of the day several students greeted me with variants on "I can't believe you said this" which meant "please tell us you didn't say this." My office hours were spent calming students (as well as myself) over this matter.

This narrative of the response to my statement exemplifies the point I had raised at the RUS dinner. In relating the wonders and pitfalls of being a professional woman I cautioned that successful moments are often tainted by people who are quick to dismiss or qualify your ability and attribute a woman's achievement to affirmative action. At some point most women, including myself, rise to the bait and launch into a tirade stressing that they are extremely capable and deserving of their position. This surge of anger is not likely to change anyone's mind. Offering no catharsis, anger only succeeds in undermining the principle of affirmative action. within this context, many professional women feel trapped by the issue of affirmative action.

I advised the Radcliffe students attending the RUS dinner to refocus the context in which one responds to this pernicious comment. I believe that women have and continue to face discrimination in this country. If young women entering the professions are being taken seriously, they do so as a consequence of the affirmative actions by women who put themselves on the line demanding equal opportunity and the end to sex discrimination. Without these continued efforts to combat nonconscious forms of institutional sexism, many qualified women would not hold their present positions. Political actions by both men and women are encouraging professional institutions to act affirmatively in providing women with equal opportunity. Within this context. I am at Harvard because of affirmative action. Ethel Klein   Assistant Professor   Department of Government