In light of the campus uproar over signs of racism and sexism on this campus (which do exist) I would like to respond to Miranda Johnson, '97's column calling all students to hang flyers on their doors, showing their disapproval of hatred and prejudice ["Why Aren't You Putting Those Flyers Up?", Feb. 1]. I agree with the intended effect of the flyers -- students need to show that they do not support oppression nor tolerate oppressive behavior. However, this cannot be accomplished by hanging a flyer on a door.
The idea of a large population championing a cause by hanging identical banners or flyers on every door, reminds me too much of communist party-state propaganda when everyone hung pro-party slogans as a sign of nominal support for a regime which they feared. I do not believe that hanging a flyer on a door can "break the silence" and end student apathy towards campus prejudices. Rather, students who have no intent to actively change campus attitudes have only to tape up a flyer to justify their apathy in other facets of their life. Furthermore, if flyer-hanging were to become more prevalent, those who did not hang flyers could be accused of oppressive tendencies; they would be labeled simply by choosing not to label themselves.
To truly change intolerant behavior, students need to stand for what they believe in every day conversations and situations. Several times in my life I have ignored sexist comments because the man making them was from a different generation or my superior and I did not want to offend him (including the alum who interviewed me for Dartmouth). Several times when I was younger I ignored racial slurs simply because they came from someone with whom I was friends and the slurs were not directed at me.
I know I am not the only one who has done this. Yet we need to stop making excuses for people when they speak intolerantly! Do not allow a man to make sexist jokes just because he's a brother in your fraternity, or your superior. Do not ignore slurs even when they are not directed at you.
Most Dartmouth students are outraged over recent events, but may not be bold enough to actively support their opinions. Your voice countering intolerant behavior will be a signal to others who feel the same way to feel more comfortable in joining your resistance. Passivity is what allows intolerance to exist.
