To the Editor:
There are people that look the other way, minority or not, when the subject of racism comes up. It's a touchy, delicate subject that nobody wants to talk about. He or she doesn't want to feel, or doesn't want the others to feel guilty or uncomfortable. No matter how wrong the situation might be, let it pass, and maybe, just maybe the incident will be forgotten by all. I was one of those people. And usually I succeeded, and so did the rest of Dartmouth.
Injustice to anybody should not be faded away no matter how trivial the incident might be. It must be embedded into everyone's mind that these sort of acts will not be tolerated. Just as an example, while some Dartmouth students were celebrating Martin Luther King day, some were in pain and in disbelief that fellow students had written racial slurs and a swastika on their doors and walls. How many of us really know about this incident? How long will it be before this is all forgotten by us? How long will it take for the administration to inform, not just the students in the dormitory where the incident occurred, but Dartmouth students as a whole? When will they take a stronger stance? When will this silent treatment end?
The presidents and vice presidents of minority organizations have finally decided to get together as Colors, a group to help Dartmouth be silent no longer. The idea and the need for this unity was one talked about since as far back as I can remember. We've decided to start communicating between organizations to discuss our common needs and concerns and will continue to do so as long as minority organizations exist. Most importantly we've decided to come together on issues concerning the rights of minorities on campus. The rights of minority students should be a concern to all of us, because we are not just minorities on campus. We are not just the members of AAM, DAO, La Alianza Latina, KASA, NAD, AfriCaSo or Milan. We are students of Dartmouth. Our needs are Dartmouth's needs. We're not asking for more 'special' treatment from others, we're only asking for a more equal one.
I support Colors, as a fellow member, as a minority and as a student of Dartmouth College.
