Neanderthals

To the Editors of The Crimson:

Mr. David Dalquist's photographic essay of the South End with "texts" in the Tuesday, January 10 Crimson vividly demonstrates that The Lampoon has not monopolized the talents of the social Neanderthals in our midst. I have seldom felt that the vagaries of The Crimson warranted my serious or prolonged attention, but Mr. Dalquist's contribution to today's Crimson requires at least a passing comment.

As a member of this community for eight years I have come to expect some insentient and contemptuous treatment of the weak and vulnerable: Mr. Dalquist's effort marks an all-time low in unabashed tastelessness and insensitivity. The texts accompanying his photos are reprehensible examples of a social consciousness so primitive and mordant that they should embarrass the sensitivities of this community more than they enflame the anger of the residents of the South End. As for Mr. Dalquist and the Editorial staff of The Crimson, I hope that maturity will bring a modicum of circumspection and compassion which their breeding has to date failed to produce. Robert P. Young, Jr.   Admissions Office

Dalquist replies:

I did not intend to make fun of the South End residents; rather, I wanted to let them speak for themselves. I did my best to portray them accurately, and in no way wanted to denegrate them, I did not intend to play on stereotypes; I hoped to show that the people I photographed had their stories to tell, and I tried to put it in their language. I regret the misunderstanding.