Talking Race

Tonight, in a panel discussion in Sanders Theatre sponsored by a remarkable number of student groups, Professors Michael Sandel, Cornel West, Nathan Glazer and Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III will discuss the race survey conducted by the IOP and The Crimson last fall. Tomorrow, students will meet in every house JCR and in first-year common rooms to discuss race relations on campus in the intimate spaces where they matter most--in the places we study, hear lectures and, most importantly, in the places where we live.

Such discussions are vital to revealing the fears, animosities and prejudices that exist between students on campus and hopefully will lead to concrete steps toward greater understanding and interconnection--as well as tolerance--of the various ethnic and racial groups on campus. On the survey, students gave the Harvard campus a B+ in general and the administration a B- on race relations.

Tonight's panel is an important way for administrators, faculty and students to begin addressing a campus situation that, within the world of grade inflation, students have deemed as having room for improvement.

Harvard can lead the nation in discussion, interaction and communication on race relations. We applaud the IOP's decision to spur the community's discussion of race. Yet the events will only have the potential for success if all of us make time to participate.