Before I comment on the notorious Phi Delt Theta e-mail that has inspired students to fill the Forum pages, I would like to offer readers what The Daily wouldn’t — an opportunity to read excerpts from the actual e-mail. They then can decide for themselves whether the Asian American Advisory Board is “overreacting” or properly responding to offensive material.

I retrieved the following text from fliers that were posted around campus by AAAB and mysteriously ripped down before many students had a chance to read them. Although it is virtually impossible to put yourself in the shoes of an Asian American, I ask that you try to read the comments from their perspective. (Note that the e-mail refers to a softball game Phi Delt played against a group of Asian males. Names have been eliminated to protect the … ugh … innocent?)

“Gentlemen,

Lo, the wind blew softly on yon Long Field this afternoon. Six brave souls ventured out against a team of little yellow men from the far east. ‘Forfeit!’ our slanty eyed opponents cried. Being noble and true of heart, we conceded them the game, but we did not relinquish our dignity … The middle innings bore little fruit for either squad. Then the chinamen ventured into the fifth. Dongs were struck by all except (name) Pussy … The yellow men were defeated. The wheels had fallen off of their rickshaw and their game had ground to a halt. The chinamen were left to wonder why we got the big cocks and all of the athletic skill. Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole … Ole … Ole. Yes, Ole indeed.

Yours in the Bond,

(Name)

No Limit Soldier”

In choosing to print this e-mail, I am in no way attempting to label all the Phi Delt members as racists; I’ve met some respectable and intelligent men in that house. Rather, I am hoping to give a voice to several AAAB members who are upset with The Daily’s coverage of this issue. They felt their claims would have had more credence had the actual e-mail been printed alongside their grievances.

The group quickly reacted to the situation by calling meetings with the fraternity, administrators and minority groups. They also suggested several creative solutions to the tension that mounted between the groups, including a Phi Delt-sponsored event for Asian-American Heritage Month. Incidentally, the group is also disappointed that this messy issue quickly made headlines when the kickoff for its heritage month received no coverage.

So yes, Mr. David Sykes, AAAB members do have more important things to do than “bitch about an e-mail joke;” they’re attempting to raise awareness about their cultural heritage. As a person who apparently has a life, maybe you can give them some cool-guy tips on how to brush off insults that strike at the core of their being.

But if you do that, realize that you’re speaking from the viewpoint of a self-described minority who finds himself most comfortable in an exclusive, predominantly white group. You may choose to speak out as a token minority, but that does not mean that the minority community shares your ideologies. And know that your attempts to defend your brothers have only nullified their earlier apologies and have delegitimized the feelings of the people who did take offense to those joking words.