at least we can admit stupidity runs in packs. of all the reason's i've ever heard to use a racial slur, that has to top them ALL.

Dude, what did I do to offend you? I haven't been here poking at every single thing everybody says, unlike you. I never once said I spoke for ALL Latinos. I simply stated that nobody I knew would be offended by a fiesta-themed party. AXJules hits the nail right on the head. Read what she has to say.

But here's the thing.... Black people have no desire, never had a desire and never will have a desire to attend something like a "white trash bash". We just don't do isht like that. Have you ever heard of a BGLO hosting a "Hillbilly Hoe-down"? Not gonna happen. It just seems to me that SOME white people really love toeing the line, just to see how much they can get away with and then yell ignorance when they inevitably offend. There's an inherent danger in that.

Okay, here's my beef with the whole situation. Part of the problem here is that black culture has become synonymous with being thugged out and "ghettofied" and while I don't want Black people perpetuating that myth, I most definitely don't approve of white people doing it. If you want to emulate a part of our culture, please choose a more appealing aspect.

I also want people to understand that I don't condone the use of ghetto as an adjective under any circumstances. I don't use it and it makes my skin crawl to hear it leave anyone's mouth. So, this isn't a case of I can use the term because I'm black and you can't because you're white. I'd prefer that no one use it unless it is used as a noun.

i haven't been cracking on everything people have been saying, i've been saying mess about the ignorant statements that have been made in this forum. in your first post, you make a comment on how you don't see latinos crying over a fiesta party, then you turn around and say the ones you know won't cry over it. well, shit...the ones i know would. but you're initial statement came off as a blanket for all hispanics.

hey guys, what's going on in this racially-charged thread?






I don't really have anything to add, as per usual . . . other than maybe to say, perhaps we could benefit from some perspective, and a healthy dose of learning how to communicate properly.

Just a hysterical thread - makes my head spin.

I was making a general statement here. I didn't ever speak on behalf of Latinos as whole. I spoke of different races, giving examples of different events. Re-read what I wrote, will you? The only thing I have been trying to say here is this is not a racial issue. It was made into one by your fellow GC'ers when that wasn't even an issue in the first place. I'm done trying to convince the stubborn.

I don't have a whole lot to add, and I don't want to get super invovled in this thread... but i did have a few questions/thoughts i wanted to throw out there.

* I don't agree that "ghetto fab" is an appropriate mixer theme b/c it is likely to be done in very bad taste. Wait, i don't think it's possible to do that in good taste.

* Question (not having to do with ghetto-fab but some of the other things thrown out there)- when does something stop being a celebration of a country/heritage/culture and start being racist?

In elementary school, and even high school, you would have different days learning about countries and cultures, etc. other than your own. The comments about fiestas really made me think of this. Sometimes you'd dress in that kind of clothing, a lot of times it involved food. For instance- in Spanish, have mexican or spanish food, have a pinata, do other things. In French class, we never dressed up, but we would have parties to celebrate the culture.

Where is the line between celebrating a culture and being "racist"?

Obviously ghetto-fab, white-trash, etc aren't really acceptable and are immediately deemed racist. But what about fiestas and the like????

Just trying to steer this somewhere productive....

When people don't understand OR RESPECT what they are celebrating and immitating about.

My only question is this.

Is Eminem considered hip hop/ghetto? what about Kid Rock? Fred Durst? Jennifer Lopez? South Park Mexican?

If they were throwing an Eminem party, would y'all be as upset? People would come dressed in the exact same attire as a ghetto party.

Kitso
KS 361

**Throwing an Eminem party?*** :confused:


Again, if you are hard up for party themes, there are books availible that contains HUNDREDS of theme suggestions for parties, dances, mixers, etc. Most of them will have background props for sale, as well as give you ideas.

If you or your org has no creativity whatsoever, try that. As Bamboozled said, don't throw together some slap happy theme such as "Ghetto Fab" :rolleyes: , and then play STUPID when the "fits hit the shan". :p

C'mon now......

Fine,

Call it "8 mile", whatever. My point was that this Hip Hop/Ghetto culture has been infiltrated by members of races besides African-Americans, and to me, that makes it more of a mainstream kind of culture. Hence, in itself, a Ghetto Fabulous party isn't racist.

I will grant you that it is a poor choice of theme, but, if the organization says, ok, this is our theme, these are acceptable and these are unacceptable costumes and noone shows up dressed inappropriately then in my eyes, "No Harm, No Foul". However, most organizations probably wouldn't do that, therefore inviting trouble when someone does something stupid.

Ok, i think it's a crappy idea, and if it was ever brought up in my chapter i'd vehemently protest it, but the idea isn't in itself racist.

Kitso
KS 361

Understanding something is always about perception. No two people will always understand everything exactly the same way. We all understand and react to things in our environment by the way we perceive them.

NO person posting in this thread is an expert.

Do you truly understand the "ghetto" yourself? If you do, is it really that difficult to think that maybe I could as well (being a white person)? Could I understand it as well as you, or better than you? Or because you are a minority, you have a better understanding of the situations of a "ghetto?" Is it because in many situations (and like many people have stated in this thread) that because "ghettos" are related to minorities; do people that belong to these minority groups always have a better understanding than those people who do not belong to the minority? Shockingly enough, the answer is no. It can be argued but just because someone is "black" it doesn't mean they have a better understanding of a "ghetto" as opposed to a person who is not (white, asian, whatnot).

Da, just how many of you started usign the words hip/hop/ ghetto/ or what ever?

Is this not promoted via recording companys? Is it just Rappers who do stuipid things like weapons charge, battery, assualt, rape, and so on!?

NOT! How about College Sprots figures?

I am white so to speak, I have to work on a tan as many other do. Some dont and I am enveious at many times!

Have I had relationships with people of different color, religion and creed. Well, yes I have. Am I wrong? Are You wrong?

Live and learn! Tomarrow is the Future, not throwing up the past! That was AGO, Tomarrow is what we learn!

I am sure some of my Brothers and many others would be saddened by what is da, said on here.

I am sure if Brother Jenkins read this he would be sorley dissapointed.

How could anyone possibly think that the thought of a "ghetto fab" party not cause a debate such as this? What makes anyone think that an entire community of people would not be offended? I keep hearing some people say that we, as African-Americans, do not have a monopoly on the "ghetto." :confused: WTF?

Ok, we know that people of all races live in the ghetto, but NO ONE is going to sit here and claim that they didn't mean emulating the African-American culture when this grand azz party idea was devised. When most people think of the ghetto, your first thoughts fall to African-Americans. Besides that, can you give me an accurate definition of "ghetto fabulous?" I heard someone say that "it is 'mainstream' now, so no one should be offended? :confused: Are you serious? The term and all that it entails has been bastardized by the "mainstream."

Don't forget to put my invitation in the mail... :rolleyes: