To the Editor:
I must comment on Joshua McCurdy's letter in the March 2 issue of The Dartmouth. First, a lu'au is not a party and to equate the luau party to which he refers as a lu'au simply demonstrates ignorance of the culture which he now claims to be "American as apple pie." Moreover, the fact that imperialism, cultural or otherwise, has occurred does not make it right or moral, nor does it give anyone the right to assume that one now somehow owns the "overthrown" culture by virtue of one's government having overthrown that culture's government. Such attitudes are offensive to say the least.
Mr. McCurdy makes the assertion that the "Indian mascot you deplore was rooted in Dartmouth's history of educating the local populace." I'd like to know exactly what Mr. McCurdy's knowledge of that history is because it certainly does not agree with the written record. And why does anyone make such assertions if they are not based in fact? Such an assertion is another use of popular myth to justify offensive and hurtful actions. I hope Mr. McCurdy and any others who believe that same version of history will at least examine the whole historical record before engaging in activities known to be hurtful to other members of the Dartmouth community.
