there's been slander for way worse than this. they're just as entitled to dress in this fashion as the news media is to splash their picture all over the papers

Who really cares anymore. I mean, if you're offended, be offended. Stereotypes are real, and there is a degree of truth to them. These are just some stupid kids having fun. Obviously they find things enjoyable about stereotypical black culture or else they wouldn't have a party for it. I mean, dressing up is pretty lame, but a lot of people drink corona and eat mexican on cinco de mayo. If we had a white holiday, yall could get drunk listening to Huey Lewis and go play golf. I know its different with black people because the history is distinct, but when people have white trash dress up parties, I don't think "they're making fun of me." I'm not really defending them, I don't really care. However, I think its good for people to realize that just because they're making fun of a group of people composed of your race, doesn't mean they're making fun of the race itself. I just wish this crap wouldn't end up on drudge report every time it happens.

Amazing that was not quoted before me!:D

But, You do it better!!!!!!!:D

The point is why do it all--there are other themes, there are other things you can celebrate. Why is it necessary for anyone to make fun of anyone? Its not--these are young adults, they do know better, and this is just plain stupid.

As far as saying that other cultures do it so it should be ok for us to do it--I know its cliched but "stupid is as stupid does."

Oh, My!:eek:

You are a heretic according to PCness!:o


How can you even think about saying something like this?:o

who cares? there wouldn't even be a news article if no one cared. sounds pretty logical, right? you're white so really, the feelings of people of color aren't exactly something you'd understand anyway.

don't get offended when someone calls you ignorant, bigoted, racist, ect. i think it's funny when people want to make fun of other cultures and/or people and then get mad when they called any of the above.

if that's so, then these guys should do it at a location where there's going to be a large population of black people.

Darn, just when I thought I had figured out the correct terminology. :D

I rarely get offended. I do think it'd be stupid to call me bigoted or racist. I won't put it past you, however.

Oh the irony of this.

Amazing isn't it?

When I posted that my chapter had black members, they were called tokens.

When I said I had black friends, they were also tokens.

When I told a friend of mine a KAPsi to check out the GC, he flat told me these people are ignorant and have not a damn clue! He has nevr come back on since! Wonder why?

Oh, shinerbock, they a call everyone who does not agree with them the same thing!:(

nope, i'm not saying that. i'm an advocate for non-violence.

:cool:

why, do you think there would be one? and if so, why do you think that?

i didn't call you bigoted or racist, LOL. quit projecting.

there are plenty of people like this at good schools. look at texas and georgia.

:p

Perhaps the blacks at Tarleton State could throw a "white" party, maybe on Presidents' Day.

They could dress up in ties and blazers with crests on the pockets, serve hors d'oeurves, speak very precisely, and discuss recent stock market trends while sipping Chevas Regal in leather wingback chairs in front of a crackilng fireplace.

Then post pictures on the Internet. I would be oh... so offended.

Seriously, I didn't see any pictures disrespecting Dr. King, or Barrack Obama, or Ray Charles, or any other upstanding person.

I saw a parody of young black Americans today who themselves do not respect Dr. King and what he stood for. Anyone, of any race, who dresses, talks, and behaves in a ridiculous manner deserves, by definition, to be ridiculed. David Letterman makes fun of Richard Simmons all the time.

People should not be expected to be sensitive and respectful of gangstas from the hood who create their own stereotypes, then get offended when someone mocks them. Rappers HAVE been shooting each other (but I haven't heard that someone like Neil Diamond gunned down the likes of Barry Manilow).

Stop apologizing for reflecting reality, and stop getting so upset.

As for fried chicken, I love it, and Aunt Jemina's pancakes are delicious. We all eat chicken and pancakes. But not all of us play music that booms up to a half mile away. Now that's insensitive, disrespectful, offensive, and unacceptable.

You reap what you sow.

I'm surprised at some people here who don't seem to understand why this was so offensive. In my mind what truly upset people, besides the stereotypes, was that the party was held on MLK day, the day we honor a true visionary leader who had a major impact on civil and equality rights in this country. And how do they honor him, and all that have worked so hard in the decades since, and his accomplishments? By dressing up as poor/uneducated blacks, gangsta thugs, and Aunt Jemima. It's a complete slap in the face, as if they were rebelling against what MLK stood for. If that's what they were doing, I don't think that's defendable.

I think thats what would be offensive, if anything. The stereotype thing is whatever, but the reason that stereotype exists is because to a degree it is true. However, it was their party, so I think taking action against them in any way would be pretty ridiculous.

So what are you saying? What are you suggesting these black people would do about it?

i'm saying that they should do it so that everyone could be involved in the fun and partying. why would "these black people" do anything?

Yeah, I'm sure that's exactly what you meant.

maybe klan hoods would be more appropriate? just a suggestion.

no, i'm serious. Dr. King would have wanted it that way. everyone should be involved in the fun. why? what do you think would have happened? and if you do think that, then why?

Exalt. End Thread.

Don't flatter yourselves.

More accurately, they would have to dress like whites who couldn't afford the ties and blazers. Whites not only comprise the greatest percentage of the population but the greatest percentage of people in poverty and on AFDC. Amidst white privilege.

Since you all are talking about stereotypes rooted in truths.

Is there a reason he wouldn't type what he meant?

Ha, we used to have a mixer like that my freshman and sophmore year. Always a great time. Dress like trash and drink 32 oz Bud heavys in a brown paper bag.

You talking trash about white trash? Now you're hittin' too close to home! Hehe.

If ya have a matching set of salad bowls and they all say "Cool Whip", you just maht be a redneck. ~Jeff Foxworthy :)

I don't know what's so exciting about mixers with such dumb themes.

But if white people want to make fun of themselves, that's their business. I don't condone nonwhites getting in on the action.

Isn't it pretty understood that mixers usually have dumb themes? Never said anything about exciting.........but getting dressed up and going to a bar tab is usually pretty fun. Maybe its not a BGLO thing.

Exactly.

Aren't all themes dumb anyways? And most of the time dumb things are fun.

Starang wouldn't say what he really meant because he's not black. He'd be using a stereotype. If African Americans want to join in the "fun" (as Starang was saying) then they could go to the party. Why would they have to throw the party where the black people are?

The most fun party I've ever been to while in college was a White Trash Trailor Bash. People were dressing the same way at that party as they are in those pics.

Anyone else think that the popularity of David Chapelle has confused some otherwise intellent people about the appropriateness of racial parody and who can do it?

I think these people look dumb and racist, but I don't think any other sanctions than public ridicule should follow.

Theme parties can be fun. Really. But groups should be careful about doing things that will be offensive.

White people are usually fair game. Enjoy.

for some reason, tom seems to think that would incite violence. i don't know why anyone would want to fight over something if they weren't going to be offended in the first place.

sounds like a party that everyone should join in.

I'm thinking of a list of "acceptable" themes:

NASCAR race

Dukes of Hazzard

Biker Convention

Local tacky nightclub.

Star Trek Convention

More upscale ideas:

If you are north of the Mason/Dixon line: Macon, Georgia Junior League Dance

If you are south of the Mason/Dixon line: New Jersey Country Club.

You bring up an excellent point. My generation (for which I profoundly apologize) has been raised on a strict diet of vapid pop culture. It seems they are unable to distinguish between appropriate and offensive.
On the other hand, you have idiots like Carlos Mencia who just aren't funny and can't pull off racially themed parody, no matter how hard he tries.
"I'm half mexican...beaners, spics are lazy!" It's not funny, no matter who says it.
A generation fed on a diet of terrible reality tv and shows which continue to push social boundaries are going to have slipups...on the other hand, if they were truly intelligent, they would be able to distinguish between entertainment and an appropriate party theme. There are much better themes out there...

People would still get upset by these things. For instance, the stereotype of bikers is rough, fighting, biker gang types. I know of a "biker group" who frequents a local coffee shop... the group includes bankers, teachers, parents, grandparents, etc. BY FAR anything but your stereotypical bikers. Every one of those will upset someone.

Well, I'm not sure that you will ever please everyone, but I don't think these are likely to offend groups on a particularly deep level.

I'll add that if you join a biker group, it's likely because you either enjoy the stereotype or enjoy turning the stereotype on its ear. You'd be a fool to be offended by a Hell's Angel's type party.

Maybe we should just sit in an empty room and twirl our thumbs.........or would that offend people that are boring?

........so you are really going to sit here and claim that a group of teachers, parents, and grandparents are going to be genuinely upset if a bunch of college students dress like Hell's Angels and drink?

No I was just giving an example. None of these offend me, but my point was that anything you do it's going to offend someone. So just have fun. We shouldn't have to live our lives walking on eggshells about everything.

"The African-American man who claims he was the one who started the tradition of the now infamous Martin Luther King “celebration” among Tarleton State University students now admits that this year’s party bears virtually no resemblance to the one he and two of his roommates hosted three years ago.

“OK, well, I admit that this party was a little different than mine,” Williams said. “But I still don’t think it was racist.”

Williams also steadfastly defended his good friend and former roommate, Jeremy Pelz, who posted pictures of the party on his Facebook Web site. Despite the fact that many of the pictures showed white students poking fun at black culture and history, Williams insisted that those students who attended the party are not racist and meant no disrespect to the black community or to Martin Luther King."

“I know for sure that they (the party-goers) weren’t being racist,” Williams said. “They were just having fun.”

http://www.empiretribune.com/article...ews/news02.txt