Public Expression

Printed at the onset of the war in Touchstone, this anonymously published article was one of many pieces penned by students. Although allowed to write freely, many students like this author would choose not to attach their names to their writings, afraid of both administration and public backlash.

The Gazette of Amherst College would replaced the Amherst Student from 1943-1944, a wartime paper with restricted content. It was entirely dependent on the college and intended to only convey "straight news." It is often considered the low point of press rights during the war.

However, towards the end of the war, the Gazette would relax its standards. This cartoon, which situates the frustrations of Amherst life within the trenches of World War II, was run in the second to last issue of the Gazette.

The final issue of the Gazette would run on June 23, 1944, to be replaced by student paper the Jeff the following term. It acknowledged the trials of restricting speech, as well as the loosening of restrictions as its year-long run progressed.