Signs outside Greek houses, Parkhurst level charges
This sign outside Psi Upsilon fraternity was one of several posted outside Greek organizations' physical plants and Parkhurst administration building.
By Ashley Blum, The Dartmouth Staff
Published on Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Web Update, last updated on Feb 24 | 4:05 pm
Several signs were posted outside of Greek organizations — and one outside of Parkhurst hall — early this morning by an anonymous author blaming several Greek organizations for being sexist and racist, according to reports.
“You have been charged with representing your brotherhood to Dartmouth as racist and insensitive,” a sign posted outside of Psi Upsilon fraternity read.
The sign also included a warning for acting accountably.
“We are holding you accountable for your actions. It’s time you start doing the same,” it read.
The porch of Psi U’s house was also littered with women’s underwear bearing messages including “this won’t just ‘go away.’”
Signs were also posted outside of Chi Gamma Epsilon fraternity and Kappa Delta Epsilon sorority, according to reports.
The poster placed outside of Chi Gam took issue with “Come as you are” t-shirts produced by the organization, calling them “demeaning” and arguing that the shirts objectify women.
“Having a shirt with the caption ‘Because running won’t fix your face’ is demeaning and conveys to this campus that you lack any sort of regard for women,” the sign read.
The sign outside of Parkhurst claimed that “racism and sexism persist on this campus,” and sent the same message of accountability as the sign outside Psi U.
“You have been charged with not holding student organizations accountable when they present offensive, divisive, and insensitive attitudes to the Dartmouth community,” the sign outside of Parkhurst read.
The signs, however, make no reference to their author.
Psi U filed a complaint with Safety and Security about the signs according to acting Head of Safety and Security Keiselim Montas. The complaint regarded the infringement of private property by the individual or group that posted the signs, Montas said.
Although signs were posted in several locations around campus, according to Montas Psi U is the only greek organization to have filed a formal complaint with Safety and Security so far.
This is a breaking news update and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Apparently the brotherhood cites ignorance for their actions… which strikes me as a disingenuous and cowardly excuse. I applaud the principle applied here to hold people accountable. Thank you for speaking up; it makes all of us better, as the hurt is often hidden away and silenced. Now we will see how our peers react—with humility for the negative impact of their actions? Let us hope…
By Ibrahim on Feb 24 | 11:58 am
Well done anonymous Dartmouth author… its about time someone takes a stand against the institutionalized norms on this campus. Way to be a voice for those who have been marginalized and mistreated by others on this campus. You have my support.
By Anonymous on Feb 24 | 12:14 pm
And the all-girl secret societies strike again.
By D10 on Feb 24 | 12:27 pm
Accountability is an ironic demand from an anonymous organization.
By Benjamin C. Hemani on Feb 24 | 12:29 pm
Throwing panties all over Psi U’s lawn? And this is going to fight sexism how? Think ladies….think.
By Emily on Feb 24 | 12:54 pm
I charge the creator of these signs as being a pompous ass, full of self-righteous indignation that is representative only of a childish and naive view of the world they live in.
I hold them accountable for their inflated view of self importance, and the wildly overestimated value of their own opinion.
By Sick of It on Feb 24 | 1:01 pm
i also saw a sign in front of sig ep
By Anonymous on Feb 24 | 1:07 pm
The sign in front of Chi Gamma Epsilon made reference only to controversial “Come as You Are” shirts from Fall 2007. At this point, the current ‘10 seniors were only 2 weeks into their pledge term. Everyone associated with the shirt has long since graduated. Excellent, timely message, whoever you are!
Next time, try exercising a little cognitive power before you scribble on orange construction paper and place it in public spaces.
By Brad W. Hagedorn on Feb 24 | 2:19 pm
I haven’t seen the likes of this since I was short-sheeted by the Green Defense League.
By Anonymous on Feb 24 | 2:25 pm
I’m glad that someone at least spoke out about these issues, even if two years later. No matter how long ago incidences occurred,too many organizations on this campus are not held accountable for their actions. Why do groups continue to use offensive and degrading imagery or slogans to promote their own organizations? It’s just not necessary, and people should choose respect over objectification. Let’s support our peers on this campus and leave behind this destructive tradition of conflict and division.
By Michaela R. Yule on Feb 24 | 3:14 pm
Let’s remember the updated and more accurate definition of racist:
RACIST: 1. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive term for a white person. 2: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities, if promoted by white people. 3: a belief that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race, if promoted by white people.
By J. Morgan on Feb 24 | 4:05 pm
Panties on the lawn are a reference to the idea that women “get their panties in a twist” about these sort of things and clearly just need to relax- ie, that their concerns can be dismissed and patronized. I think it’s a really cool symbol.
By re: undies on Feb 24 | 4:08 pm
I’m curious what the signs outside of KDE and SigEp said…
By Anonymous on Feb 24 | 4:21 pm
I wish that this group had put a sign on Kappa’s lawn. Several important women in my life have been diagnosed with Breast cancer; one has died. Making light of their illness and suffering with a shirt that says “Save Second Base” disgusts and offends me, no matter what the proceeds of buying the shirt go towards. People on this campus need to think more about what they are broadcasting to the community and how they are making others feel when they wear shirts with “funny” expressions on them.
By anonymous on Feb 24 | 5:25 pm
Cry me a river. This group obviously doesn’t fit in the Dartmouth social scene (60% Greek) and feels sorry for themselves (or just taking themselves WAY too seriously – you’re in COLLEGE in the middle of NOWHERE – learn how to relax and have fun). There’s messed up things all over the world, be happy you live in America and go to a great college. No one cares about t-shirts.
Chill out kids! College doesn’t last forever…
By Anon on Feb 24 | 8:40 pm
I would like to point out that the anonymous poster-maker is using his/her (more than likely: her) powers of free expression in an effort to abolish the free expression of others. Like a lot of attention-getting multiculturalist efforts, this reeks of hypocrisy. And before you call in the ACLU, understand I am a card-carrying liberal. I’m just the real kind of liberal: the kind who’s down for universal expression. Say what you want, Indian lady (and get offended if you wish) but keep your damn hands off my mouth.
By Anonymous on Feb 24 | 10:26 pm
Sorry Anon, but I think that was EXACTLY the point of this whole campaign. Something is seriously wrong with the social scene at Dartmouth if it continues to be an atmosphere that perpetuates hurtful and demeaning attitudes on this campus. Just because we “live in America and go to a great school” doesn’t mean we’re entitled to ignore the active abuse of OUR PEERS. Furthermore, if degrading others is how you “relax and have fun” on campus, then I am sorry for you, and anyone else who shares this attitude. This is why we need a change. Anon, your standards are far too low, for yourself and your school. Excuse us idealists who think people are capable of better than this.
By Nicole M. Williamson on Feb 24 | 11:21 pm
I think it’s funny that people are criticizing this campaign for being anonymous, when the anonymity really underscores the point the signs are making. Greek houses put out a public message/image/attitude, and therefore each member of those groups should be held accountable, as they are publicly a part of that group. But they are not held accountable—-most members of Greek houses dismiss negatively-received messages/images/attitudes as products of the “group mentality,” and therefore not important, preventable, or their problem to deal with.
The anonymous poster-maker is utilizing the power of free, anonymous expression, and demonstrating that when others make some form of free expression that has their name attached to it, they must be held accountable. So shouldn’t this campaign just be food for the collective consciousness, not something to pin onto a specific person?
By AnonymityIsThePoint on Feb 25 | 2:55 am
This is laughable
By Anon on Feb 25 | 9:11 am
That’s the thing though Nicole – assuming that Greek houses having fun is somehow “degrading” to others, or that it has anything do with you, is absurd.
Not everyone at Dartmouth is peer – Dartmouth is a collection of groups of peers. Not everyone sees eye-to-eye, and you shouldn’t make them. Would a liberal want to kiss and make up with a conservative, or vice versa? No – but they can share the same arena nonetheless. This is how things work in America! Isn’t it GREAT?
Again, you might like an idealist (read: self-righteous) and feel that it’s your responsibility to correct the “wrongs” on campus, but in reality, you’re going to be much happier finding love and respect from your true peers, because they will actually take you seriously.
By Anon on Feb 25 | 12:54 pm