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Anthropology at 100 I enjoyed "One Hundred Years of Attitude: Anthropology at Berkeley," by Ayala Ochert in the June issue. However, I must point out that, while her portrayal of Alfred Kroeber as a man and an anthropologist was fair and balanced overall, it was neither fair nor historically accurate to state that "it was later discovered that Kroeber had allowed Ishi's brain to be sent to the Smithsonian Institution." The fact is, Kroeber was on sabbatical in Europe when Ishi grew ill and died. When Kroeber learned of Ishi's terminal condition, he wrote to E.W. Gifford and said, "As to disposal of the body, I must ask you, as my personal representative on the spot in this matter, to yield nothing at all under any circumstances. If there is any talk about the interests of science, say for me that science can go to hell. We propose to stand by our friends." Tragically, Kroeber's letter "was received too late to be of use," according to Gifford's response to Kroeber. In my view, Kroeber's respect for Native American cultures was remarkable for his time, and his character stands tall over his contemporaries. James Chapman '82 Ukiah Cultures are equal? And to think otherwise is racist? Was it the cave dwellers that created the Industrial Revolution or put humans on the moon? The photo of Kroeber taking a photograph of a naked Ishi tells it all. Anyone who believes that these two cultures are equal no doubt would proclaim that black is white. Karl Kettler, MBA '66 Flemington, New Jersey You state that Laura Nader was the first female on the anthropology faculty. That's odd, because I took classes with Theodora Kroeber, I believe in 1939. She intrigued me to the point that I eventually acquired an M.S. in the subject. William Musladin 'x39 Sacramento The editor responds: It's true that some women, including Theodora Kroeber, lectured in the department before 1960; but Laura Nader was the first full-time, tenure-track woman faculty member appointed in anthropology. The ecological crisis In Professor Carolyn Merchant's "Q&A" (June), both the "progressive" and the "declensionist" narratives she critiques neglect a simpler and equally supportable interpretation of the Eden story: that pride and the desire to "be as gods" (Gen. 3:5) are the root of our transgressions against Nature. If that is so, then the antidote would be an attitude of humility, restraint, and reverence toward Nature, with a concomitant renunciation of the lust to dominate. The Eden narrative provides a guiding paradigm: human stewardship of Nature (Gen. 2:15). Andrew Sorokowski '72 Rockville, Maryland In the framework of the narratives Professor Merchant alludes to, what seems to be happening is that human laws are now confronting nature's laws. It seems to me that modern science is going through the difficult transition of recognizing human limitations in relation to the physical laws of nature on a finite planet. Global warming, the salinization of soils, and the pollution of fresh waters are all examples of how human laws and policies have failed to conform to the physical laws of a finite planet. This reality that humans do not have enough energy to arbitrarily subdue nature may also have implications for traditional religious beliefs. T.N. Narasimhan Professor, Environmental Science, Policy and Management Berkeley Food fight The Novartis agreement to fund research in the College of Natural Resources may or may not be the underlying cause of the disturbing controversy described in "Food fight" (June). But it deeply depresses me that the University has made an agreement to accept such money. As seems obvious from that article, it is all too easy for scientists to disagree on facts. Scientists, like all humans, must wrestle with their own subjectivity, their stake in the ideas they seek to prove, their tendencies to rationalize. I'm sure it's hard to be truly objective. But when financial support for research comes from a company that will benefit when the research comes out a certain way, this conflict of interest makes the research suspect. That my University has made such an arrangement with a commercial entity has diminished the standing of the University in general, and my pride in it in particular. I wish the agreement could be terminated, and soon. Helen Black '43 Oakland Twisted priorities When I started reading the June issue and came across the title "Axes of evil" and the cartoon at the head of "Twisted Titles," I thought: "Oh, no. Here we go again." I remembered one of the Twisted Titles that appeared shortly after the last Presidential election which said, "Hail to the Thief." I believe the staff should be very careful in its selection of Twisted Titles and should select only politically neutral items to publish. Hopefully that would prevent most of the readers from getting upset with any of the Twisted Titles. William Gray '47 Tujunga I strenuously object to your baffling decision to publish a reference to President Bush and Vice President Cheney that used the term "evil." How can you possibly believe that this would be funny? The California Alumni Association is not supposed to be a partisan organization. Your perceptions of propriety in that regard demand a serious tune-up. Cary Petzel '83, MBA '85 Indio That woman had nothing to do with Bill Clinton! In response to the letter to the editor from Marian Jacoby '67 (June) regarding JFK's campus visit in 1962 as a "special moment in my college career," I wonder if s/he also recalls that there were no women on stage during that special moment-other than the Angel Flight escorts who, in their white gloves, led the dignitaries and campus ROTC reps to the stage and then quietly faded into the scenery. I feel like "throwing up in the restroom" when I remember those special campus moments of the early '60s. Perhaps one Berkeley Medal criterion should be that the recipient is happy to share the stage with women. Isn't Bill just about perfect in that regard? Penelope Toni '65 San Mateo Thank you for including a great letter on Bill Clinton ("Letters to the editor," June). However, while it was credited to me, I did not write it. The letter used was superior to the one I submitted, so I am glad you chose what you did, but the actual writer might be a bit disgruntled. Marian Jacoby '67 Baton Rouge, Louisiana The editor responds: The "Marian Jacoby" letter was actually written by Walter Johnson '62 of Meridian, Idaho, who says he's not disgruntled, just pleased that his point was made. |
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