The recent episodes of radical activity on this campus have provoked a barrage of commentary. What seems to be the majority opinion -- as represented by this newspaper -- can be summed up quite briefly. In the opinions of the most vocal, the acts have been irresponsible, cowardly, immature, and most of all, unproductive. I totally disagree.
The major problem with this discussion is its relentless focus on the protests themselves. We'll remember that event number one involved dumping manure on the lawns of Beta and Alpha Chi and that event number two was a leaflet titled, "The Shit You Don't Hear About." Somehow, everyone who has chosen to comment on these radical acts has limited their intellectual projects to the methodology and productivity of the acts.
But what if we look at this from a different perspective? First of all, these acts are in no way equivalent to the actions that they protest, as some have implied. Dumping manure on a fraternity's lawn and writing and reciting a heinously misogynistic, racist, and homophobic poem or script at a house-sanctioned event are not equal. Neither are the radical acts even remotely acts which can be considered hate crimes. They do attack individuals and groups, but not on the basis of their sex, race, sexual orientation or class. They challenge individuals and groups for their hateful actions -- and appropriately so.
The other issue in question is this group's decision to remain anonymous. While we speculate about their cowardice and their fear, why don't we entertain the notion that these people have legitimate reasons to be afraid for their safety? Does not the newsletter itself illustrate through Miranda Johnson's story what happens to people in this community when they speak their minds and dare to disagree with popular opinion? Who wrote and distributed the stories is not nearly as significant as the stories themselves. What does it say about our community that there are places on this campus where things like those described in the leaflet go on and that no one involved in those events steps forward to question the perpetrators and their actions? Why does it take an outside group to bring these stories to our attention? Let's be brave enough to answer our calls for community assessment and refocus our discussion on the alleged events which the leaflet describes.
But maybe we're too afraid to actually look at what these acts are telling us. Are we so defensive that we will let ourselves be sidetracked by a discussion of methodology and not take a look at the issues that these events have thrust into the open? Why are we not, instead, examining and condemning the "deplorable" Alpha Chi Alpha Script (Didn't Matt Richardson, President of Alpha Chi, assure us that the script was to be made available to the public?). Why are we not instead, questioning the gender dynamics in the African-American community? Why are we not, instead, forcing Beta Theta Pi to hold an open forum about their poem? If we're worried about the truth value of the leaflet, let's investigate and learn the truth about these events: did a woman really get slapped in the Aam? did a '99 really tear down the "We Will Not Be Silent" posters?
Instead of pontificating about the lack of productivity by an anonymous group, let's be productive and responsible. The actions executed by the anonymous group have already been as productive as they need to be. They should be viewed as a catalyst. Already the pages of The Dartmouth have been filled with discussion. We have heard public apologies from both indicted fraternities. Alpha Chi has verbally, at least, dedicated themselves to enacting change in their institution. After seven months of inertia, we have finally been able to read Beta's poem. Are these things not productive? Why should the anonymous group be held responsible for making all the changes? Take responsibility, people, and act from here.
The anonymous radicals did not divide this community; it has always been divided. They have condemned this community's apathy and in so doing, have opened up a major space. Let's refocus our discussion, and fill this space with positive and similarly productive actions.
