Upon graduating Dartmouth, and learning about all the sensitivities of every group represented at Dartmouth, I decided to throw a party. At first I was going to set up a pong table and invite some friends over, but that would be offensive to the world renowned ping-pong-playing Chinese who would be associated with beer consumption.
With that idea nixed, I pondered buying some cheap champagne and sharing it with some friends, but that would offend the French who would not want to be associated with the likes of Andr. Perhaps just virgin cocktails, but that would not be considerate of abstainers, would it? In the end I decided to just sit alone in my apartment and drink Vodka until the Russian society knocked on my door demanding I stop abusing their culture.
Find all of this silly? Not really, especially given the hypersensitive climate Dartmouth has found itself locked in, fostered by an administration all to eager to jump at the chance to show just how politically correct it is.
Recently I read about the evil proposed luau party and the instant wrath ultra-sensitive people at Dartmouth inflicted on the terrible Greek houses. I just had to laugh at what a state of victimization, sensitivity, and anger Dartmouth has found itself in and wondered what exactly the protesters wanted to do other than annoy the rest of campus and portray themselves as victims.
Were these two Greek houses trying to demean Hawaiian natives? No, they were just trying to have a good time and if the Hawaii club wanted to co-sponsor it and add a bit of the true Hawaiian culture, I'm sure the houses would be all for it. Rather than trying to help the situation, certain individuals decided to go on the attack, thus starting a blame game that sent the Greeks scattering into an apology for something they shouldn't be apologizing for -- just trying to have fun.
Perhaps some people were offended, but do you know what? Too bad. The world is full of offensive stuff and we all are offended from time to time, get over it. As a Southerner I really don't think the Kountry Kwenchers party is representative of Southern culture, but I don't throw a fit and demand that all Northerners wearing overalls and straw hats be thrown at the administration for punishment. I know it is just a bunch of people having fun and they aren't doing it out of hatred for Southerners.
Do I get offended when people burn American flags? I do, but those people have a right to be idiots and burn the flag without me stopping them. A thing called the First Amendment allows people to say whatever they want without harassment, and last I checked the first amendment applied to Dartmouth as well. Unless an organization is hatefully and purposely trying to hurt an ethnic or racial group, I see no reason to unleash the dogs of war on them.
Finally, I would like to say that I have been to Hawaii and had a great time. At a luau on Maui I ate roasted pig, drank beer, wore a grass skirt, and watched women dance in coconut bras. I was happy, the Hawaiians enjoyed laughing at the stupid tourists while taking in $30 per person, and we were all were better off for it. Hawaii is a great place, the culture is fantastic, and I'm proud to call Hawaiians fellow Americans.
Remember, we are all Americans, and Dartmouth will be a lot better off if we all take a deep breath, chill out, and take it easy when we are confronted with things we find offensive.
