<p>Is it considered totally politically incorrect to wear a retro Indian tee shirt? (I saw it advertized on dartmouthreview.com and was going to order one for my daughter). Hate crime, perhaps?</p>
<p>I wouldn't do it, but there are people who certainly have no issue. I think it immediately brands you as insensitive, but perhaps that is only because I personally know people who are offended.</p>
<p>It doesn't look like a derogatory stereotype (unlike the Cleveland Indians' mascot), but I guess we all have to be hyper-sensitive these days. When did Dartmouth abandon the Indian mascot?</p>
<p>I believe it was 1972 but I might be wrong. I agree that it isnt derogatory looking, it just seems to sort of pigeonhole people who wear it on campus.</p>
<p>You're right -- there's nothing inherently racist in the t-shirt, but those who wear it are sending a strong message (whether they know it or not) along with it/</p>
<p>People wear those around campus, actually. Psi U brothers have jackets with the Indian on the back. It's not that big a deal, no one does anything to them of course.</p>
<p>That's good. I was afraid there might be paint attacks, like with fur.</p>
<p>I'm Dartmouth Class of 1976. I'm upset with a lot of the things that Dartmouth has done over the years. But getting rid of the Indian symbol is not one of them. Dartmouth was founded to educate Native Americans. There are many Native American graduates of Dartmouth and Dartmouth continues to have one of the highest percentages of Native American students of any major college in the US. A large majority - not all - of Native Americans, including Dartmouth grads, wanted to get rid of the symbol because they thought it was demeaning. In my opinion, if the group being symbolized wants out, get rid of it. How demeaning is it to have the Wash. REDSKINS, or the face of the Cleveland Indians symbol (Chief Nok-A-Homa I think)? Stanford also got rid of the Indian symbol about the same time as Dartmouth. I own a few mementos with the Native American symbol but I keep them in my house. I don't believe in political correctness - but I do believe in respect - and wearing the old symbol around Dartmouth's campus is disrespectful. Instead of buying a "retro" look, go to Dartmouth and take some courses in Native American Studies - Dartmouth has one of the best programs in the country.</p>
<p>Actually, the last time the Review did a survey (granted, it was in 1985, but I'd imagine the culture wars were even more intense then), about 90% of the nation's Indian chiefs voted to keep the symbol, claiming it was an honor to the Indians. Then about 5% were opposed, and 5% had no opinion.</p>
<p>Does anyone know what process was in switching to "Big Green"?</p>
<p>Why "Big Green"?</p>
<p>I have no problem with it one way or another.I'm just curious.</p>
<p>From what i gather, its sort of more a free speech issue now. I mean, I think its very respectful to have an "Indian" (read Native American) as a mascot because it shows bravery and courage. This debate could go on and on, but as i said earlier, its a freedom of speech statement. The Dartmouth Review has taken this as a symbol of their struggle with the radical political correctness that has taken hold of many colleges throughout the country.</p>
<p>Why Big Green? As I remember there wasn't much of a process. There may have been some kind of vote but I think some idiot at Dartmouth came up with a list of bad names - Big Green was probably the best of the worst. I faintly remember other lame names like the Norsemen, etc.Also, it was easy for the Dartmouth marching band to form a Big Green on the football field - they wear green jackets and they huddle together into a big blob in the middle of the field to form a Big Green.</p>
<p>Funny. You think a bunch of cool funny dartmouth types would be able to come up with a good mascot. I guess Keggy, the moose, and the big green will have to do for now!</p>
<p>We (being the class of '09, cc'ers of the class of '09,etc.) should make a campaign to get an official mascot! What would you make Dartmouth's mascot if you had the chance?</p>
<p>I'd have to go with the moose or wolf (are there many wolves in NH?)</p>
<p>Well in 2003 (I think) they did have a some sort of a poll and the moose somehow won. SA wanted to recommend that the administration implement it, but when people (who had supposedly voted for it) heard this, they protested big time and the idea was pulled.</p>
<p>I kind of think it's cool that our mascot is ambiguous. It's like a mascot buffet - we can pick and choose to suit our tastes.</p>
<p>my daughter's high school mascot is a koala.</p>
<p>Doesn't exactly strike fear in the hearts of opposing teams, does it? :-)</p>
<p>I think UC-Santa Cruz has the Banana Slug as its mascot</p>
<p>KOALA?! "The Fightin Koalas". Banana Slugs I understand, but how did they come up with Koalas?</p>