In print | Published September 25, 2008

To the editor:

How many of you have ever felt harassed by tablers? They sit there, lurking in Sharples and Parrish mailroom with their causes, and calling out their demands for your time and attention when you’ve got class, a paper to write, four different meetings to go to, and a game of Frisbee to play. They force you to pick up your pace, turn up your iPod, or walk out the back door.

As someone who has been on both sides of the table, I’d like to propose a truce. 

While someone might be asking you to take a few minutes out of your day to sign a petition or make a call to your senator, remember that the person sitting there cares enough about that cause to be there at that table for an hour or more.

Respect that. They don’t want to make you feel guilty or yell at you from across the room. They want to educate you. 

We’re always busy here at Swarthmore. It’s a fact of life. It’s a challenge we thrive on and, occasionally, get consumed by. These tablers are trying to make it easier for you to make a difference, regardless of how busy your day gets. Having an ethical intelligence is as important to me as having an active intellect, and so I’d like to remind the student body to take advantage of those people and their passion while you’re here.

Go up to them and ask them what they are there for. Don’t give tablers a chance to disturb the peace of your afternoon. Make them a meaningful part of it instead. Then, if you agree with what they have to say, take the 30 seconds (literally sometimes) to call your senator or sign their petition. Or not. It’s okay to say no. Just take the time to ask.

Elizabeth Crampton ’09

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