To the Editor:? The All-School Meeting speaker on Wednesday, Mr. Kip Fulbeck spoke to the student body about a wide variety of topics all relating to the idea of identity. Mr. Fulbeck was powerful as well as assertive, passionate and unwavering in his argument, but there was a noticeable and at times offensive tendency in his presentation. While Mr. Fulbeck should enjoy the right that we all have to express his own opinion, it should not come at the expense of others by constantly ridiculing legitimate positions, simply because he does not agree with them. Denigrating an opposing position does nothing to strengthen his argument. As students of Phillips Academy, we are always advised that it is not only more effective, but more respectful to support and cheer for Andover rather than against Exeter. Instead of presenting demeaning criticisms of Republicans, one of whom had served in the armed forces and endured years as a prisoner of war, Fulbeck would have benefited from offering examples that supported his own views. Apparently, such substance was lacking. Mr. Fulbeck would be better served to present examples that further his own agenda, rather than those that serve only to compromise an opposing view. Sincerely, Emily Johnson ’10
