************** --- Forwarded Message from mrylouc@ibm.net ---
>From: mrylouc@ibm.net >Date: Sun, 22 Aug 1999 12:49:24 -0700
>Reply-To: mrylouc@ibm.net >To: office.of.public.affairs@Dartmouth.EDU,
Aaron.A.Akamu@Dartmouth.EDU >Subject: luaus of the absurd
As parents of an in-coming Ivy League college freshwoman, we have heard
many rumors about the antics of the colleges back EAST. However, the
recent news regarding the cancellation of the Dartmouth luau was the
most amazing, amusing, appalling, absurd yet.
If the concept of a luau offends your Hawaiian student, then the concept
of Christmas in Hawaii offends us. We are also, by the same token,
offended by the mis-use of other Holy days such as ST. Valentine's Day,
Easter, Halloween.
We know that our daughter will encounter many issues/events of which we
do not approve. However, we do not expect that the world conform to our
standards. My daughter is, for example, a vegetarian; she also does not
drink or smoke. Neither does she approve of schools that offer athletic
scholarships (even though she is an enthusiastic sports participant).
Consequently, she selected a school at which these ideals are shared.
We do not expect the world to conform to our ideals, only that we have
the freedom to pursue them as individuals.
I never thought I would write in support of any sorority or fraternity
anywhere, much less at Dartmouth where they are notorious, but here is
our support for them and their luau! Go luau!
****************** --- Forwarded Message from EmLois@aol.com ---
>From: EmLois@aol.com >Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 13:31:36 EDT >Subject:
Who do you think you are? >To: omar.rashid@Dartmouth.EDU
Are you really that bitter at other people in this world, especially at
the dartmouth community, that you must try to create a stupid controversy?
I am off this term and i happen to sit next to someone in my office who
is 100% Hawaiian and she thought the whole thing was funny. its pretty
obvious to anyone with eyes that you are handling this situation in a
completely ridiculous manner. are you and your organization supposedly
the "voice of the oppressed"? and if you had any level of maturity you
would have contacted the accused organizations first.
come on, even the profs are laughing. the way you handled it makes it
look like you had no motive other than to get people in trouble.
get a $!&%# life. why dont you have a party where everyone dresses
like my russian grandmother. please do. she would probably be flattered.
i dont care if you dont respond, or if you do. but i gotta love that
first amendment. --- end of quote --- --- Forwarded Message from
EmLois@aol.com ---
>From: EmLois@aol.com >Date: Wed, 18 Aug 1999 15:57:22 EDT >Subject:
Re: Hello >To: "Aaron A. Akamu" <Aaron.A.Akamu@Dartmouth.EDU>
Hi,
Well, I spoke to my coworker and she is not 100% native Hawaiian so
I apologize for not making that clear. Though I must say that I don't
particularly like the fact that a private message gets forwarded without
my knowledge. I read the response to my last email and understand many
of the points made. With that, I withhold any further participation
or input.
***************** --- Forwarded Message from Emmett M. Hogan ---
>Date: 13 Aug 1999 21:09:26 EDT >From: Emmett M. Hogan >Reply-To:
HumanShield >Subject: >To: Aaron A. Akamu
I would really, really love to understand why it is that you have a
problem with a fraternity and a sorority when they only want to have
a party with a Hawaii-based theme. Unfortunately, I just cannot grasp
it. This is the most benign, most insignificant theme for a party. It's
harmless. It's actually pretty neutral. You probably think that any
frat party that's based on ethnicity is worthy of protest. Well, would
you be outraged at an Oktoberfest party, or a St. Patrick's Day party?
If no, then I would say that you are a hypocrite. If yes, then I would
say that you are over-sensitive. And as a matter of fact, I'm Irish -
I was born there and grew up there, for almost half of my life. People
here tell me that St. Patrick's Day is a great day to get drunk - but
in Ireland, it's actually a national holiday AND a religious holiday. No
one goes to the bars. But do I get offended? Nope. Because I understand
that it's just not that big of a deal. This Hawaiian party, however, is!
simply a few special drinks, a few coconuts here and there, a few
grass skirts and special lights - and that's it. It's nothing on a
par with St. Patrick's Day. It's not a party emulating something of
cultural significance; it's a party emulating a party. Nothing about
it is offensive and, even more importantly, nothing about it is MEANT
to offend. Hell, people go to Hawaii for these sorts of parties, and
they are promoted by the Hawaii tourist board. In sum, this party does
nothing to denigrate or demean Hawaiians - unless, of course, you want
it to. Which you obviously do.
Don't you think that you're over-reacting? Please
be so kind as to explain to me why it is you're
justified in protesting this party. I really,
really want to know.
******************