By now, we have all heard about the swastika incident. We have all received the usual email from Dean of the College James Larimore, we have all read the typical article in The Dartmouth and, now, Student Assembly has passed the standard resolution condemning the incident. Why is it that we are always responding in such a conventional fashion? Is it to make ourselves feel better? Are we trying to fool ourselves into thinking that we're actually making a difference? These meaningless words are only covering up the problem and it is time to take an active, innovative stand against hatred and bigotry.
There is a very strong cycle of incident and reaction at Dartmouth. Episodes of bigotry and conflict occur often and the public events dominate the conversation for a short time afterwards. In our Dartmouth careers, these incidents range from the Ghetto Party during the Fall term of 1998 to the Wah-hoo-Wah Psi Upsilon incident and then to "The Zetemouth" incident last spring. In this year alone, we have seen two resolutions responding to racism. If you compare the Student Assembly's Sept. 11 resolution (the first passed this year) with Tuesday's resolution entitled "Resolution Responding to the Swastika Incident of 1/12/02," you'll see remarkable similarities. The claim that "the Student Assembly's role as the representative body for students compels it to express its convictions [that it condemns any act of hatred or bigotry]" and the vow to "pledge both moral and material support" are practically identical to phrases used in the first resolution. Why is it necessary to repeat ourselves? How do we change the way we react to our problems and conflicts? How many times must the Assembly state that we are against hate?
After the passage of this recent resolution, unfortunately, it must be a lot. Unless the Assembly doesn't mind being lambasted by the press and harshly criticized by those affected, it is almost required that the Assembly respond in resolution form to any future acts of hate (which we are certain we will constantly come across). We do not want to marginalize any group of students on campus by supporting one over another through a resolution. Perhaps we should write a resolution every time an act of hate happens. Maybe that would make Assembly members sleep easier knowing that they did their jobs in fighting hate.
The standard response only leads us to believe that we're solving the problem when, in actuality, it does no one any good. It's good that Dean Larimore sent out his letter. It's good that the Assembly passed that resolution. But in the end, those are just words and we want to follow up through action. One of the few ways the Student Assembly makes a strong statement is through resolution form. The Assembly loses much of its strength as an advocacy group for the student body if it allows statements in its resolutions like "pledge material and moral support" to become empty claims. There are different ways that the Assembly can make statements and, as opposed to resolution form, these emphasize action.
What we should do is to pass a general resolution against hate and bigotry and then sincerely commit ourselves to ridding ourselves of it on campus. As overused as this phrase is, it really is time to think outside the box because, as of now, we're making little headway in fighting hate. The first thing the Assembly should do is follow up on its vow to "call upon its own membership to confront examples of prejudice, ignorance and hatred in our dorms, in our classes, in our dining halls and social spaces, in our Greek houses, and in every aspect of our daily lives" and present everyone with the option to sign a pledge doing exactly that. Next, we should continue to plan events such as the "Let's Cut the Shit" discussion held last spring. Finally, we should show genuine dedication in helping to carry out various programs such as the Stop the Hate Campaign on which Dean of Student Life Holly Sateia is working. Many of these things are being planned, but the reason why we are now writing this article is so we, along with the rest of the Student Assembly, are held accountable. Accountability in carrying out action is the issue here, and as members and leaders of Student Assembly we will make sure the words of this resolution are brought to fruition. We challenge the members of the Student Assembly and the rest of the community to hold each other accountable to these ideas presented.
