📃 Harvard groups on Hamas

Happy Thursday! It’s October 12 — people are talking about Harvard student groups’ statement on Hamas, dressing like your partner, and more.

As always, we’ve summarized and organized the different shades of perspective, so you can see the big picture quickly. Here at Shades we believe that seeing multiple points of view is the best way to stay informed.

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📃 In the news: Harvard groups on Hamas

31 Harvard student groups published a letter stating that Israel was “entirely responsible” for the Hamas attacks.

📃 The NY Post said it was an awful and bigoted statement. The Harvard administration and professors seem unwilling to back it, for good reason — the university would probably lose donations.

📃 Hot Air agreed: The letter is obviously evidence of left-wing brainwashing. Palestinians deserve sympathy, but that doesn't excuse war crimes.

📃 The Crimson: For her part, Harvard President Claudine Gay condemned the Hamas attacks, and said that the student groups don't speak for the university.

📃 A Jewish Harvard student in a WSJ opinion piece thought it was too little, too late. Claudine Gay should have condemned the letter outright — the university is fostering antisemitism.

📃 Still, maybe the debate proves there's value in universities staying neutral on political issues. The NYT said schools would invite less backlash in the long run.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Cultural trend: Dressing like your partner

Lots of celebrity couples coordinate outfits. Everyday people do it too. But is it cringey, or cute?

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Vogue approves of the trend: It's a way to signal to others that your relationship is rock-solid. Celeb couples have been rocking matching outfits for years, and it’s cute!

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 High Snobriety says there's some psychology behind why couples do it: It's a way for couples to communicate they're on the same page.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 But She Said thinks it's just plain cringeworthy. We get it, you're together — no need for the coordinating outfits!

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Donald Featherstone (the designer behind the iconic pink lawn flamingo) and his wife coordinated outfits for 35 years. She wrote about the practice in a Guardian opinion piece.

Quick hits

⚫ Record-breaking cave diver Brett Hemphill died while exploring Phantom Springs Cave in Texas. His body was recovered four days later. (People)

⚾ The Dodgers were swept by the Diamondbacks in their division series, ending another 100-win season with disappointment. (AP News)

🇮🇱 Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen said the war between Israel and Hamas is unlikely to have a large impact on the world economy. (CNN)

🏛️ House Republicans chose Steven Scalise as their Speaker nominee. Some Jim Jordan supporters aren't thrilled. (WSJ)

That’s it for today. Reply to [email protected] with any feedback, or ideas for tomorrow’s topics!

- Jeff (co-founder of Shades)