Peter Yerkes Summit, N.J., Feb. 25, 2009 To the Editor: It is shockingly inappropriate to reduce support for the humanities when most of the problems we are faced with in the nation and the world are the result of deficiencies in integrity and ethics, not deficiencies in vocational skill sets.
The London-based New College of the Humanities can be seen as a free-market response to the decline in government support for the humanities.
Since the U.S. is a great and powerful country, its support of the values of humanity and human rights is of great importance.
Karen L. Gould, the president of Brooklyn College, said in a statement, "Over the next two months, with the support of the Wolfe Institute for the Humanities and other campus units and community groups, we will provide multiple opportunities for discussion about the topics and related subject matter at the heart of this controversy".
During her speech at the UN General Assembly, Emma Watson introduced the world to HeForShe, a solidarity campaign for gender equality that "brings together one half of humanity in support of the other half of humanity, for the entirety of humanity".
A prayer addressing Mary interrupts the doxology:, asking "for support of humanity, including the needy, the timid, the clergy, women, and the laity".
As the campaign's website reads, it "brings together one half of humanity in support of the other half of humanity, for the benefit of all".
Indeed, if funding is a measure of public interest and support, then the humanities may need public outreach programs like I-RITE even more than the sciences.
"I want to support the whole idea of the humanities and teaching the humanities as being something that – even if it can't be quantitatively measured as other subjects – it's as fundamental to all education".
