To the editor:

My thoughts — as someone who moved to Dartmouth beginning in eighth grade and am a proud graduate of the DHS Class of 1970 — humbled and proud to have been elected as our class president.

In retrospect, I regret that our yearbook committee, sanctioned by school administration and faculty advisors, placed a caricature of an “Indian” on our yearbook cover.

This image became a lightning rod for some folks who thought it offensive in the current era. It was displayed in at least one meeting and I can understand it’s negative impact.

Then, however, the history of the logo was explored in detail and the role of our late graduate’s family (Jose Andrews), his brother Clyde “wheels” Andrews and their mom —  was made clear. They were responsible for changing the full headdress image to the more recent one. So, I hope the DHS Class of 1970 yearbook caricature may be forgiven for its unintentional offense.

We loved the image as a ‘fun-loving’ fellow — as we poked fun at ourselves a bit and certainly not at any individual Native American or tribe as a whole.  Separating the pride in my beloved high school from our attachment to the Indian name, later with a corrected image and logo — I think it is most important for the local Native American tribal nation to take a clear stand as a sanctioned federal entity. If that entity believes this is an appropriate salute and honoring of the tribe whose lands we stole (my words — borne of historical fact), then I am good with that.

For me — it will always be “Glory to Dartmouth!” And as a first generation of European descent, it is not for me to declare what is right in this situation. I would personally prefer that no logo or mascot or related “label’”ever be used that is representative of a human, that is my personal belief. If the Wampanoag Nation is proud to see the imagery, then their opinion certainly outweighs this old white man’s views. 

David Hastings,

Darmouth High Class of 1970 President