A series of incidents and thoughtless acts caused hurt and pain to members of our community. They included an Indian symbol t-shirt give-away, an offensive Homecoming t-shirt, the disruption of a Native American drumming circle ceremony on the Green, and a number of episodes where students from a local high school drove around campus shouting racial slurs at students of color. The College itself contributed to the concerns when it sent out a calendar that contained a photograph that appeared to many to celebrate the "Indian Symbol." In addition, an athletic team hosted a theme party that appeared to reinforce Native American stereotypes. Although many of the incidents targeted or directly affected Native Americans, other community members were troubled as well, prompting the entire campus to consider the meaning of community.
In a letter to the community, President James Wright wrote, "Dartmouth's strength is the sense of belonging and inclusiveness that marks our values. Words and actions do matter - let us use our words and actions to make the Dartmouth campus a truly welcoming and inclusive one."
In late November 2006, about 400 students, faculty, and staff participated in a rally to affirm Dartmouth's community values in front of Dartmouth Hall. The participants stressed a common obligation to reach out and affirmed that this community belongs to all of us and we are all responsible for protecting it.
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