YOUR TURN

YOUR TURN

readers react

Points of View

I was pleased to see DAM feature a number of Black alums in the November/December issue. I found the stories of Ahmed Osman ’65 (“He Was My Brother”) and Frank Wilderson ’78 (“Continuing Ed”) to be particularly compelling, not least of all because of the major contributions both have made to Black political thought and practice. Osman’s interventions in Malcolm X’s understanding of Islam and Wilderson’s pioneering work on Afropessimism have undoubtedly had profound effects on how past and present generations of Black thinkers and activists operate in the world.

Osman’s and Wilderson’s respective schools of thought seem to be in (I hope productive) tension with one another, as Osman’s insistence that Islam eliminated the color bar would seem to conflict with Wilderson’s assertion that the enslaving practices of Arab, Iraqi, and Iranian populations (among others) gave rise to Blackness as a category. These distinct points of view are just a couple of examples demonstrating the complexity of Black alums’ intellectual and political contributions—something I hope DAM continues to highlight in future issues.

ADAM BLEDSOE ’10

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Political Football

The November/December DAM was informative and uplifting in its coverage of racial issues. But self-described “intellectual” Wilderson, instead of using his position to foster meaningful dialogue and encourage his minority students to excel, continues a diatribe against white supremacy. He proudly states that he doesn’t vote because “America is an unethical institution” and “doesn’t have a right to exist,” yet he refuses to work to reform the ills he sees. What a disappointment!

DOUG COONRAD ’67

Hudson, Iowa In many ways all alumni can be proud that aperson with the passion and performance of Wilderson can be a voice for diversity and justice on campus and beyond. Nonetheless, did ego get mixed with his calling out racism when his football career was mentioned? He is quoted as saying “I came to Dartmouth as an All-City, All-American linebacker and almost never started.” He goes on to say that alumni in their Mercedes and Jaguars kept him from starting. This was the era of Reggie Williams ’76, who captained the team, and has been inducted into the Hall of Fame after a 14year pro career.

Most serious is the suggestion that the then-coach was easily pushed around by alumni to keep All-City, All-American linebackers from playing, even if it meant Dartmouth did not field its best players. I’m proud Dartmouth encourages diverse voices on campus, and Wilderson has much to be proud of in his work. But let’s be careful not to question the motives of good people and a proud College to further a narrative.

ALFRED P. VAN HUYCK ’55 Round Hill, Virginia

X Factor

Thanks for the piece on Malcolm X and his visit to Hanover in January 1965 (“He Was My Brother,” November/December). I remember the enthusiastic standing ovation at Spaulding Hall that day, and—amid his disparaging words—the strong sense that he was formulating a global Islamic vision of equity for all peoples and races.

The details of the article are telling. The College was not interested in inviting Malcolm X. How fitting that a single international student and scholar from Sudan—Ahmed Osman—played a historic role in providing spiritual guidance for Malcolm X and later brought him to Hanover. Another advertisement for a diverse student body.

Kudos, too, to the Undergraduate Student Council for its support. Malcolm X was well on his way to becoming a global leader before he was tragically taken from us. Let’s hope for better as we start a new chapter 55 years later.

NED GREELEY ’65

Silver Spring, Maryland

Lost Cause

Tom Shakeshaft ’89 and all the other officials and witnesses who put away “El Chapo” deserve our appreciation and thanks (“After El Chapo,” September/October)— likewise those who work tirelessly to end the carnage of the drug cartels. However, he says, “It certainly can lead to the feeling that we were playing whack-a-mole,” and then asks, “What’s the alternative?”

We must recognize that the war on drugs has been lost. Drugs are more plentiful, more potent, and cheaper than ever. By what metric is that winning? Did we learn nothing from Prohibition? Then the mob, now the cartels, get rich. If there is a demand for a product, there will be a supply. Reducing the demand needs far more effort and resources. The role of the drug companies in promoting addiction should also be vigorously pursued. The dedication to these lines of attack, I believe, would lead to better results.

DON RIES ’66

Tucson, Arizona

Great Outdoors

Thanks to DAM online for its link to the amazing article, “Braving Hostility,” by Latria Graham ’08 in Outside magazine. Beautiful writing, gripping challenges, determined hope for Black people to be better able to enjoy the outdoors.

KEVIN OMLAND ’85 Columbia, Maryland

In Vain

I have vowed not to contribute to the Alumni Fund until the venerable weathervane is restored to the Baker Library tower. I’ve been dismayed by the College’s apparent embarrassment over its history and traditions for years. The removal of the weathervane was the final straw.

KEN MEYERCORD ’66 Reston, Virginia

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