<p>I agree completely that the article was in extremely poor taste (and unfunny to boot). I don't, however, think it is fair to blame the entire school for the stupidity of one writer and a few editors. Most people I've spoken to around campus found it offensive, and it would be a shame if people took this article as a reflection of the views of the entire school.</p>
<p>^^Of course you can't blame everyone in the whole school, but it's pretty obvious that several real losers (the author and the editors) somehow got admitted to Princeton and managed to get themselves into high-profile positions on campus. Other Princeton people ought to be asking themselves how that happened.</p>
<p>Now what would be funny is if Princeton's Committee on Discipline kicks the authors and editors (who approved of this drivel) out of school for being just plain morons.</p>
<p>"I don't, however, think it is fair to blame the entire school for the stupidity of one writer and a few editors."</p>
<p>I think it is VERY fair to view published campus humor in its leading newspaper as a reflection of at least some campus currents.</p>
<p>Horribly, horribly, unfunny. You'd think with their Ivy League educations they'd at least learn how to tell the difference between funny and offensive.</p>
<p>And they seriously need to learn what satire is. They make Carrot Top look like a genius.</p>
<p>seriously, regardless of whether it's meant to be a joke or whatever, that was not funny.</p>
<p>I guess being smart doesn't mean you're funny too.</p>
<p>Princeton supporter weighing in. It was embarassing and stupid.</p>
<p>I agree I think it's misuse of a "joke" issue; believing it's their chance to push the envelope not realizing that doesn't mean being unfunny, stupid, and cruel.</p>
<p>Besides Princeton, Minnesota and the others I recall Carnegie Mellon's joke Natrat (Tartan backwards) issue from about 3 years ago. Was a racist, sexist diatribe not the least bit funny. Couldn't believe "smart" kids could write such garbage. However, in spite of well deserved criticism from all sides, the editor refused to resign, despite repeated threats and even talk of expulsion (calmer heads prevailed); instead he participated openly in the many discussions meant to heal the university community. The paper emerged better with a much wiser staff.</p>
<p>Now it's Princeton's turn to learn from this and make something positive out of it.</p>
<p>I think that every microcosim is going to have its bad apples and horrible moments. As the parent of a freshman, it is upsetting to think that it is thought that this article is the view of more than a few very demented individuals. I believe in the First Amendment, but it is appalling that this article was allowed to be published under the auspices of a "joke." </p>
<p>It is going to be even tougher than I thought to write that huge semester check next week. At least I have the solace of knowing that my child is as much appalled as I am regarding this incident.</p>
<p>The entire issue is tasteless and full of bad jokes. I suppose that is the whole point. As bad as that article is (and I have yet to read it) it is not really fair to take it out of context, which is exactly what you are doing when you copy it and paste it into a college discussion internet forum.</p>
<p>I mean, how funny is this?
[quote]
Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist '74 at a speech in Nashville on Tuesday said that he still expects Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman who died in 2005 after spending 15 years in a persistent vegetative state, to make a full and complete recovery.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I defer in all cases to Curmudgeon's judgment of what is humorous. He knows whereof he speaks. And in view of the fact that the article is not funny, then I have to accept Coureur's comments too.</p>
<p>Yeah, I thought the Terri Schiavo article was just as bad as the Jian Li article. I couldn't even finish that one, it was so disturbing to me that someone would make a joke about that situation. I would be astounded if this incident didn't result in at least an apology, although I think talk of suspensions and expulsions is a bit harsh.</p>
<p>This is getting a lot of discussion in the Princeton Forum here on CC: </p>
<p>Contrary to the others, I can understand why Pton did not accept Mr Li. A spoiled brat. Yale can have him. His next challenge is to overcome the stigma that he got into Yale and regrets it. </p>
<p>He also does not show respect to those Asian students who went before him, perhaps with lower scores but with a better attitude.</p>
<p>I agree that the humor article is offensive but I think it was also humorous with its references to bubble tea, the Yale bulldog, DDR, American culture & Berkeley(JBauer), WASPS(Ockefeller IV), China's Olympic aspirations, The "Great" Wall Street Journal, EC's a mile wide and an inch deep, stereotypical Asian musical talent, the P'ton administraton and preppie fashion.</p>
<p>I was entertained in a Baron Cohenish fashion. Laughing but not exactly proud of that fact.</p>
<p>This thread should be compared with the Tufts thread.</p>
<p>Wheatthin:</p>
<p>Cohen is a Jew doing satire about what OTHERS feel about Jews. If he were not a Jew, his stuff wouldn't be funny. It would be sick.</p>
<p>Truly disgusting. The fact that the writers of the article didn't sign may be some indication that they were aware that their column was more than slightly problematic.</p>
<p>Even if Cohen weren't a Jew, the point of his behavior is generally to expose the anti-Semitism of others. Even in situations in which that isn't the case, the whole humor of his character is that he is a clueless bigot whose misogynistic and racist beliefs are clearly supposed to be mocked. If there had been a high-profile case in which a donor removed support from Princeton because he believed that there were too many minorities, making a fake editorial from his opinion for the purpose of mocking him might contain a slew of offensive comments, but be (arguably) acceptable because the paper would clearly dissaprove of his statements. </p>
<p>In this case, the paper is using Jian Li's Asianness to mock him. In doing so, they stereotype all Asians and indirectly suggest that they don't really make valuable contributions to the life of campus. Whether or not the author actually believes this (and I suspect he doesn't), the article is inappropriate.</p>
<p>ETA: None of the articles in the joke edition were signed with real names.</p>
<p>ICargirl:</p>
<p>Nicely done! Very nicely done! Thank you.</p>