Before returning home freshman year, I remember wanting to buy a T-shirt from the Co-op. It was forest green, and in bold white letters had the equation: "Disneyworld + Hogwarts = Dartmouth." At the time, that summed up my perspective: Dartmouth was a fantasy land where people wore tutus and studied Socrates; it was the home of magical friendships. I was told my four-year education would shape me to be a leader in the world, and that, in taking up former College President John Sloan Dickey's infamous adage, I would be well-equipped to "make the world's problems my own."
Well, the four subsequent years would seem to prove the inverse, and it is as if Dartmouth's problems have been the world's. Two presidents, a hazing scandal and a Dimensions protest later, I think we have all learned that "Dartmouth has its problems."
But in the aftermath of last weekend's demonstration, the harassment and the opining on where blame lies, let me tell you what makes me fiercely proud. Many hundreds of students approached Wednesday's day of reflection seriously and attended the teach-ins at 22 classrooms. Numerous faculty members paused their research and teaching to inform themselves of the problems of their students. And over a thousand community members stood together on the green in solidarity to promise that, as an institution, we will be better.
Do I approve the methods of the Dimensions protesters? No. By hijacking a student showcase, their campaign was directly combative toward their peers, and disrespectful to both current and prospective students. No one should be forced to bear witness to someone else's truth. But know that the protesters take full responsibility for their actions. As bystanders, we can only observe what the weight of the consequences will be.
I do know where the protesters are coming from, though. The pain they elevated was also that of those so often silent. And what impresses me about these past few days is that many of you took it upon yourselves to listen. The Dartmouth's survey polled 1,176 students, 58 percent of whom thought that "the protest was successful in promoting dialogue about sexual assault, racism and homophobia on campus." That's 683 of you. That's huge.
Having graduated last June, I cannot speak to the state of campus affairs, or the tremendous hurt that still exists. But from the number of alumni with whom I have spoken, the overwhelming response has been a brutal honesty about their Dartmouth experience: that their time on campus was not always pretty, but it was absolutely the best thing for them. That we love this school, imperfections and all.
Real love is not easy. It calls for an earnest to hear the experience of those around you, and demand more from ourselves as a collective. Real love asks us to step outside ourselves and empathize with the differences of others, so that we can be stronger as a community. We all have felt disrespected or judged on campus that is not a minority premium. So when someone hurts, reflect on your own pain. Remember that pain is no different in your peers. We lose our humanity when we treat each other as ideas instead of as people.
To those of you who on "principle" rejected Wednesday's reflection I respect that. Everyone is entitled their opinion and engagement. But your voices are most crucial: we need perspectives from all ideologies and backgrounds to improve our institution. That is what real diversity calls for fostering a coalition in tackling these issues.
Caring is scary, and commitment is daunting, but the challenge of growing up is acknowledging we all have an onus to shape the environment around us. We win against injustice, not through loud cries of inequality, but soft murmurs of compassion. We embody our ideals through our actions.
So I am asking you, Dartmouth: can this be a turning point?
If not for ourselves, think on this: the incoming Class of 2017 will be the most diverse that Dartmouth has ever seen. As aggrieved as we were at their Dimensions show being ruined, what action plan is there for once they matriculate? That they are not only welcome, but comfortable and safe in their new home? How will the '17s communicate successfully within and across differences? Make no mistake, Dartmouth: they along with the rest of the world are watching. Let us prove that, next year, they will flourish yet here, as the "best class ever."
