So as I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my vacation, I stumble upon probably the most effed up thing I've read in a long while... Dartmouth's Director of Athletics and Recreation, released a statement to The Dartmouth, which is the student paper at the university, on the upcoming hockey tournament they will be hosting; a hockey tournament in which the North Dakota Fighting Sioux will be participating in.From here:
Apology for hockey tournament mascot
By Josie Harper, Director of Athletics and Recreation
Published Tuesday, November 21, 2006
To the Editor:
I am writing to strongly denounce the historical and recent affronts to the Native American community at Dartmouth and to offer the support of the athletics department in playing a leading role to combat racial, ethnic and sexist ignorance and intolerance on our campus.
At the same time, I must offer a sincere apology to the Native American community, and the Dartmouth community as a whole, for an event that will understandably offend and hurt people within our community. In late December, we will host a men's ice hockey tournament that includes the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux. UND is one of 14 colleges or universities that continue to maintain a Native American name and image to represent their athletic teams.
Let me state clearly that UND's position is offensive and wrong. When we scheduled UND nearly two years ago to participate in our tournament, we did so without considering their team's nickname and symbol. Perhaps we should have, but I deeply regret that we didn't.
On Friday, as I was traveling on College business, a member of my staff met with the Native American Council to discuss our hockey tournament and to offer our apology for the pain that it will cause. In the days and weeks ahead, I will develop a specific and continuing plan to address issues of respect and tolerance within the athletic department as well as considering a policy for scheduling athletic contests against institutions that support offensive nicknames and symbols.I can't make this stuff up, folks. I just can't. I cannot believe that someone in her position at an Ivy League university could say things so dumb. I've heard more intelligent things from NMU fans.
I'm going to quote it again because it's just amazing:
Let me state clearly that UND's position is offensive and wrong. When we scheduled UND nearly two years ago to participate in our tournament, we did so without considering their team's nickname and symbol. Perhaps we should have, but I deeply regret that we didn't.
WOW. JUST WOW. The only thing you're going to be regretting, Ms. Harper, is putting this release out to the public.
It is my strong belief that this woman should be kicked very hard in the shin for saying things so dumb and making her once respectable university look moronic and ignorant. Ok, so perhaps Dartmouth is still respectable, but they have an AD that's dumber than a brick. If the university wants to maintain their respectability, they should drop her like a bad habit.
If you too would like like to let Ms. Joann Harper know how much of a moron she is, please take the time to send her an email. She can be reached at Joann.Harper@Dartmouth.edu. You can perhaps make a better impression over the phone. Her number is (603) 646-2465. Maybe next time she can think twice, or even think once, before she publicly humilates her university.
2 comments:
Nice article Mean Girl. When will it end. That's my question?
i think some context is necessary: in the 1970's dartmouth decided that their own "indians" nickname and mascot were offensive, so they dropped it to the chagrin of many students and alumni. the student newspaper is known as being conservative and there have been times when it has suggested reinstating the "indians" nickname. now thirty years later, und is coming in sporting the sioux nickname with the native american logo (on a green jersey even)... it could get the dartmouth fans a little nostalgic, so in order to stop any calls to bring "indians" back before they start, harper releases this pretty ridiculous article. that's my take on it anyway.
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