To the Editor:
I just wanted to express some of the concerns that myself and other Native Americans were discussing after the Don King lecture.
Basically, we were totally shocked beyond belief and felt like walking out.
It was obvious to me and other Native Americans at Dartmouth that King's remarks regarding native peoples were very stereotypical, one-sided and a "folly" at best. They ignored a tremendous amount of history, struggle and pain that native peoples endured.
What made it more painful was that many of the students there found King's comments funny and made it seem like a big joke. While my friend walked home after the lecture, she passed a group of African-American guys joking about what King said regarding "smoking the peace pipe" and "shooting the buffalo." This is a serious part of peoples' history, and the stereotypical ignorance shared by King and many Dartmouth students who filled that room is hard to swallow.
He was applauded many times while degrading all native peoples. What do you think would be the effect of a speech where NAD brought a native speaker to campus, and he addressed a crowd of students with black stereotypes and degrading comments?
However, I did find many of the things that King had to say honest and thought-provoking. But I cannot sit and watch someone who is advocating understanding our place in history and our interactions with others blatantly offend another "minority" group. He clearly drew a line between blacks and whites, leaving all other groups out. For instance, in response to the affirmative action question, he stated that it is set up for "African-American" students to fight against the "invisible wall" in corporate America. I thought that all minorities needed to unite themselves for these common causes? I do understand that King's purpose was to speak about black history, but I feel that he handled a serious question with a great lack of respect.
I am by no means placing blame on any of the organizers of the event. I wanted to simply express some of the feelings myself and other Native students had after this event.
