To the Editor:
In light of the recent events surrounding the publishing of the racially offensive Bear Bones comic strip, we have found that there has been a serious lack of respect for those in our community who have taken offense. During the public discussion that was held Friday evening, no one from The Dartmouth newspaper accepted the formal request to appear in the interests of alleviating the situation.
In a letter written by the president of The Dartmouth, Jeffrey Beyer, the claim was made that "The Dartmouth would never print material that is malicious or racist." However, it is the firm opinion of the undersigned that the Bear Bones cartoon strip from January 14th perpetuated a racial stereotype. No one from The Dartmouth editorial staff has made the slightest attempt at a public apology.
In addition to the several letters of protest written from the undergraduate community, there were at least three letters written from the Dartmouth Medical School community. These letters were signed by the majority of first and second-year medical students, a DMS anatomy professor and the DMS Dean for first-year students. The demands for an apology from The Dartmouth were completely ignored.
In repeating what was written in a letter from members of the Dartmouth Medical School class of 1999, we the undersigned hereby demand a written public apology from the editing staff of The Dartmouth stating that they
1) personally regret the inclusion of the comic strip in the January 14, 1997 publication of the Dartmouth,
2) are apologetic for fostering inappropriate stereotypes of Asian Americans, and
3) are apologetic for potentially jeopardizing the welcoming environment of diversity that Dartmouth has strived to develop.
This is the very least we can expect from the editors and the president of The Dartmouth. The Dartmouth's responsibility to the community is rooted in the fact it is widely looked upon as Dartmouth's official newspaper, and has a close and inseparable relationship with the College and its administration. If these demands are not met, we will be forced to condemn The Dartmouth, as well as the College administration for remaining silent while racism is allowed to run unchecked in the school newspaper.
