Defending “Men of Dartmouth”

Stand as brother stands by brother

Last week, The Daily Dartmouth published an editorial attacking those who sing “Men of Dartmouth,” calling them “hostile to the presence of women on campus” and recalling the alma mater’s “bitter history.”  The author’s logic simply does not stand up to scrutiny.  Coeducational fraternities often refer to all members as brothers and indeed call themselves fraternities without excluding women. Similarly, if inclusivity is the goal, then “Dear Old Dartmouth” must be rewritten once again to include all of Facebook’s fifty-seven genders—an untenable solution.  It would be perhaps be better to recognize the history, tradition, and pride embodied in Richard Hovey’s enduring words.  They recall a time in the College’s past when both men and women would express their school pride without any consideration for political correctness or microaggressions, protests or occupations.