‘Cultural Stoichiometry’ Cartoon Was Offensive

To the editors:



Just because The Crimson is protected by the right to free speech does not mean that it should not be held morally responsible for printing cartoons, such as “Cultural Stoichiometry,” (comic strip, Mar. 13) that are not only blatantly unfunny but also offensive and stigmatizing of grave mental health issues. In its depiction of a thesis writer who has hanged himself, presumably due to the stress caused by his impending deadline, the cartoon trivializes suicide and contributes to the casual attitude toward mental illness that is all too widely held in our society. Every time a piece like this is published, in the Crimson or elsewhere, the view that it is acceptable to make light of devastating illnesses is further entrenched in the minds of ignorant readers.

In the wake of recent publicity toward campus mental health issues, I was shocked to see an illustration of suicide as a set-up to a punchline. The artist meant no offense, but his lack of awareness only demonstrates that in the fight to reduce the stigma of mental illness, we still have a long, long way to go.


EMILY R. KAPLAN ’08-’09
March 15, 2007
Cambridge, Mass.