To the Editor:
The Dartmouth would do well to consult the video of Edward Said's presentation at 105 Dartmouth, Tuesday evening ["Said speaks on cultural identity," May 20, The Dartmouth]. Contrary to its reporting, Professor Said never said anything about Lebanon having "disappeared from the world map."
Hard as many have tried to bring about just that, to date all efforts have failed. Lebanon is proud of its 5,000-year history. Murderous injustices perpetrated against it from within and without or a casual turn of a reporter's pen will never succeed in eliminating Lebanon as a nation or diminishing the will of its people to persevere. That is identity.
While Said may be seeking identity and reconciliation from his past, the Lebanese have a 5,000-year past that serves as testament to their future. As Said so well stressed, it is in the focus of facts and their depiction that create, confirm, dispell or threaten identity. The Lebanese know who they are and they know they are here to stay. All up-to-date records worldwide -- excluding the May 20 issue of The Dartmouth -- confirm the integrity of Lebanon. Said made mention of Golda Meir. Here we go again!