39 MB - University of Toronto Magazine

08-09 3/2/05 4:24 AM Page 9The biggest potential threats to oureconomic well-being are agents of thestate like New York State attorney generalEliot Spitzer and Russian presidentVladimir Putin, either of whom coulddo far more damage than a thousandMartha Stewarts.John Sands(BA 1952 Victoria)Markham, Ont.PLACING PROFITS FIRSTCongratulations to Roger Martin forseeking to improve the social responsibilityof corporations (“The CEO’sDilemma,” Winter 2005). However,Martin’s ethical concerns appear qualified:he seeks new ways “for companiesto be more socially responsible withouthaving to sacrifice profits.”Corporate leaders will not makethe necessary psycho-moral breakthroughif they constrict their ethicsby this qualification. Although it isencouraging to find ethical actionsthat also sustain or enhance profits,there are simply too many occasionswhere the right ethical decisionwill have a detrimental impacton profits – forgoing a profitablecontract, for example, because ofa corporate policy against payingbribes. As Martin points out with hisexample from the cement industry, collectivecorporate action can reduce thebottom-line pain of ethical decisions.However, other companies often will notbuy in, or will not buy in soon enough,leaving someone to take the moral lead –and the bottom-line hit.Dr. Chris Barrigar(BA 1982 Innis)MontrealWHO PAYS?Professor Wiseman correctly asserts thatmedia sensationalism has played a rolein decreasing people’s confidence ingovernment (“Shoot the Messenger,”Winter 2005). However, he neglects tomention another important factor: highA PAINFUL PLACEI returned recently from West Africaand was touched by the article on BryanWalls and his work in keeping his family’shistory alive (“Up from Slavery,”Winter 2005). My daughter Nancy isa U of T grad and is working for ourchurch in Benin.While we were there,we visited the oceanfront memorial atOuidah, which honours the slaves whowere taken from their homes to NorthAmerica. It is called “The Port of NoReturn.” We spent time thinking of allthe pain centred in that place, and I aminterested in reading more about thelives of people who came from there.How can I order Bryan Walls’ book?Ina FreySt. Clements, Ont.I first read about Harriet Tubman whenI was in grade school and have been fascinatedby the Underground Railroadever since. (My dad even took me toThe Underground Railroad restaurant inToronto when I was about 10 and it wasa big thrill.) I was very interested to readStacey Gibson’s article,“Up from Slavery,”and would like to know how to obtain acopy of Bryan Walls’ book.A.L. Mahoney(BA 1984 St. Michael’s)OttawaEd. note: The Road That Led to Somewherecan be ordered by e-mailing proverbs@undergroundrailroadmuseum.com or bycalling (519) 258-6253.taxes. As taxes have risen over the years,Canadians have become increasinglyhostile to incidents involving real or perceivedgovernment corruption, waste ormismanagement because these incidentsinvolve their money. This may alsoanswer the professor’s question aboutwhy the salaries of movie stars and athletesdo not receive as much coverageas those of politicians. Celebrities arenot paid by hard-working, ordinaryCanadians. Politicians are.Michael Filonienko(BA 1994 Erindale)TorontoEXTRA CASHIn his article “Star-Struck” (Winter2005), Etan Vlessing neglected to mentionthat much of the university wasused as a backdrop in the 1973classic The Paper Chase. ManyFaculty of Law students werehired as extras. Thirty dollars aday was a considerable sum andmuch of the time on set was spentwaiting for the shots to be taken.Of course, none of us look thesame now as we did then, but whodoes? Except maybe U of T presidentFrank Iacobucci, a law professorat the time, who joined usat the movie’s première.Stephen Grant(BA 1970 Victoria, LLB 1973)TorontoCorrection: Keren Brathwaite receiveda master’s of education degree in 1969.Incorrect information appeared in the“New & Notable” section of the Winter2005 issue.Letters may be edited to fit availablespace and should be addressed toUniversity of Toronto Magazine,21 King’s College Circle,Toronto, M5S 3J3.Readers may also send correspondenceby e-mail to uoft.magazine@utoronto.caor fax to (416) 978-3958.SPRING 2005 9