To the Editor:
I would like to address Michael Bern '01's "A Letter From Zeta Psi," The Dartmouth, April 20th, defending himself and his house. Mr. Bern, how can you look yourself in the mirror and say that "those of you who know us know that the language, content, and attitudes detailed in the newsletters described in yesterday's Dartmouth do not describe, in any way, our beliefs or our values?" How is such a statement possible? This is a publication that your house produced for the enjoyment of your members. If some, even one, of your members laughed at this disgusting and degrading filth, then your entire fraternity's "beliefs and values" become questionable, at best.
You also state in your letter that you "owe an apology" to the community for the actions of your house (even though you personally apparently do not believe that women should be referred to as cunts and snatches. I wonder, did you smile at "The Zetemouth?"). I, as one member of the community, don't feel your letter was enough. You say you owe an apology, but do not actually apologize. I'd like to see a true and full apology, signed by all Zeta Psi brothers, not a justification for why we should ignore the hatred that you and your brothers are fostering in an institutionalized fashion.
To the women of Dartmouth, I say this -- if you have ever called these men friends or boyfriends, please don't let Mr. Bern's semi-apology be enough; don't let the fraternity off the hook. This is not "boys will be boys," this is systemic, systematic, total degradation and hatred of women expressed on a grand scale and you should not stand for it.
To President of the College James Wright, the Trustees, and the administration: please punish these actions to the utmost of your ability. If Mr. Bern and his brothers are allowed to get away with saying "we produced this but we don't really mean it," I shudder to think of the consequences. Right now, they are at Dartmouth, insulated in the Upper Valley from the real world. Once they have graduated, how will they treat the women they meet -- smiling and shaking hands while they think "rancid snatch?" I know that I do not ever want to meet any of these men and have to interact with them in a social or, God forbid, professional situation if they are not forced to take responsibility for their actions.
If these "brothers" are the type of men my beloved College is graduating into the world, I am ashamed to call myself an alumna.
