Duke Frat in Trouble for Party Theme
 

i understand why that party idea "sparks protest". i've sometimes wondered about certain questionable party themes the GLOs on my campus have. i've seen some disturbing pictures of people dressed in BLACKFACE, of all things, at their parties...that always made me stop and go :eek: !!!

I was talking with some Alpha Phi alums from Duke and they said that the campus is really big on being an "individual" and not being known by your GLO. They don't want to give up a sense of their Identity by wearing Greek Letters (when they are Greek) and other wierd things. I think that the protest of the party kinda is explained by the atmosphere of the campus and the necessity to be politically correct. Its a pretty liberal campus loaded with people who are very passionate about some issues. Also, I think they are upset they didnt get into an Ivy League school.

I think its a little over reaction to protest. You don't really see Irish Americans protesting lucky charms, drunken irish men, and the images most commonly associated with them. Then again, different people get upset about different things.

i don't think it's serious enough for a protest, not at all, but i understand why someone might really not like the idea of a "drunken mexicans crossing the border" party... ;)

But you have to remember, Mox, to some people the day isn't complete without coffee, newspaper, trip to the gym and random protest :rolleyes:

I agree it was tasteless, but I don't think a protest was warranted.

Moxie, this is another one you can dig into! It was discussed on post from sometime back and got very heated and almost put GC down!:(

While morally wrong, it is not against the law!

Never get me wrong, it is very tastesless but not illegal. While it is stupid and unfeeling, it is not illegal.

You may post your feelings here freely, but remember this Site has been up for a long time and We as Members have weathered many storms by posters who have tried to tear it apart.

If you really look, you will posters who have been around for a while and know what has been said over the years.

Why not do some searching and see what has gone on before you stumbled upon this great site!:)

Why the hell did this make it to the Fox News Channel site?? Don't they have more important things to report?

stupid ass people, can't even have a lil fun and joke around anymore without someone runnin up ur ass about it.

Head them off at the pass.
 

I can see where this post *might* go, so maybe it should be closed now. Like Tom Earp said, there have been many posts like this that have gotten angry and nasty.

Race and race relations is a VERY sensitive issue on GC. While some of you may see it as 'no big deal', it can be a big deal to some. And while some of you may think that protesting is 'going to far', let me just say that I am glad I live in a country that will let you, at least, protest peacefully. I may not like what you say, but I will defend your right to say it.

Bwahahahahahaha!!!!! :D

If I was hispanic, I would not be a happy camper, but you have to admit that was a tad creative (compared to the blackface parties).

Here's a story from Duke's campus paper. There are also some interesting threads at this site in regards to the article.

Link to article and threads here

Sigma Chi party outrages Latinos

by Aaron Levine
September 17, 2003

Members of the University's Latino community are furious over Sigma Chi fraternity's "Viva Mexico" party, held last Saturday night.

The concerned students and faculty said they see the party--which included invitations in the form of expired green cards and a "border control" at the door--as derogatory towards Mexicans and Latinos, and as a continuing example of how Latinos are marginalized on campus and beyond.

"It isn't just this one weekend; it isn't just Sigma Chi. I've been here three years and this is the straw that broke the camel's back," said Omar Rashid, a joint-MDJD candidate and president of the Duke Hispanic/Latino Law Student Association.

To some, the party seemed innocent and well-intentioned.

In an e-mail, Sigma Chi president Marc Mattioli wrote that the event was "designed to be a light-hearted representation of the Mexican tourism scene." Still, Mattioli said his fraternity takes responsibility for its actions.

"We are fully aware that mistakes were made in the presentation of our party and we are taking steps internally to make sure that this situation does not arise again," he wrote. "We are very apologetic to the Latino community at Duke and any others that found offense in our actions."

Sandra Sanchez, president of Lambda Pi Chi sorority, said that she had not spoken with anyone from Sigma Chi, but felt that whatever their reasoning, certain respectful decisions should have been made.

"Even if [the party] were meant to be fun, they should have thought about the consequences," Sanchez said.

This is not the first time that Latino students have spoken out against social events they viewed as belittling to the Latino community. In October 1994, members of Mi Gente requested that Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and Pi Beta Phi sorority change the name of its annual "South of the Border" mixer, noting that the name of the event used derogatory stereotypes.

Sanchez said she hoped the Latino community would make a formal request to have Sigma Chi held responsible in the greek system. "They should be held accountable for their acts and how they portray greek life," she said.

Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs, said that bad judgment on the part of Sigma Chi did not necessarily warrant a judicial response.

"Being stupid is not necessarily a violation," he said.

Moneta added that his office is reviewing its own registration process so it can ask better questions to avoid registering events that could be inappropriate. "We have to be able to anticipate when events could be controversial or inappropriate and use our advisory role to help. We don't want to strong-arm students," Moneta said.

Although he pointed out that his staff was not aware that some ideas for the party had grown more offensive, Moneta said, "If we had pointed out to Sigma Chi that this event could have been [deemed] inappropriate, they would have changed [the event]."

Latino community members met Monday to decide what actions to take in response to the party, and wrote a letter to the editor of The Chronicle, which runs today on page 14.

Rumors have circulated since the party about the existence of a fraternity-sanctioned and -sold tee-shirt that represented Mexicans in a derogatory manner. The rumor was discredited, although the idea had been discussed among Sigma Chi members, eventually being struck down in favor of a dancing jalape–o holding a bottle, fraternity officials said.

"As a Latino and first generation American, I am even more disheartened by the ramifications of our party," Mattioli said. "I feel that I have let down members of both the Latino and greek communities. Nonetheless, I think my own actions and the actions of Sigma Chi in general will show this to be a momentary lapse in judgment and not a true indication of the values of our members."

Mattioli also sent a note to Mi Gente co-president Sara Hudson, who said she appreciated the gesture.

"There isn't a personal vendetta with Sigma Chi... people really do want to talk to them," Hudson said.

Hudson stressed the importance of open discussion in developing a greater understanding of the Latino community.

"The ignorance is where people don't see [the party] as an issue, [while] many people do see this as an issue. That's where you really need the discussion," she said. "People don't see how this is really important."

Hudson added that a Mi Gente meeting, open to all members of the community, is scheduled for this coming weekend, and the party and its ramifications will likely be addressed.

Todd Adams, assistant dean for greek life, said the chapter recognizes the event was planned with poor judgment, and that it does not reflect on the brotherhood itself.

"As a Duke greek community we are committed to creating dialogue and community as a whole," Adams said, pointing to the various multicultural- and diversity-themed programming greek organizations plan regularly. "It reminds us that we have a lot more work to do on behalf of a genuinely accepting campus environment."

isht!

I guess our "Drinko De Mayo" party is next on the chopping block.

Of course, i have brothers that actually HAVE green cards and they're the biggest promoters of it :D

Kitso
KS 361 times i'd say 'kickass" if they wanted to have a "Greek" party and all showed up with hair glued all over their bodies and a goat roasting on a spit out front

Oddly enough, although not OFFENDED, I really hate the way Americans celebrate St. Patrick's Day, and I'm 100% Irish-American. I just think it's repulsive and insulting to celebrate Irishness by getting falling-down puking drunk (it's gross to celebrate anything by doing that). Sadly, it's often Irish Americans who are the worst offenders, so I doubt you'll see any protests soon. I just hate it myself, is all.

Having said that, I must say one of the best parties I ever attended was a "Alamo" party - come as a cowboy, Mexican, or Indian. Great Tex-Mex food, great drinks. And the only people who should be offended should be Texans (since they lost).

I think it's a fine line between stereotyping ("ghetto parties", "pimps & hos", anything with blackface, references to drunken Indians/Mexican/etc.) and celebrating (Tex-Mex food and Margeritas, hip-hop music and costumes, ethnic costumes and decorations). Celebrations are great, stereotyping can be hurtful.

Here comes the ranting Queen of PC
 

Ugh ugh ugh.

And I'm ditto-ing the suggestion that this thread be locked since it's already going in "that direction."


The bottom line is that we as Greeks are under a microscope because of the history of our organizations and the stereotypes. We HAVE to be more sensitive to these kinds of situations, or we will just continue to promote the stereotypes that we claim we're nothing like.

IMO there is a huge, huge difference between a "fiesta"-themed party with a pinata and cactus decorations and some Dos Equis . . . I mean virgin daquiris ;) . . . and one where the tickets are shaped like green cards and there's a drunk Mexican passed out on the website. Something like the difference between calling someone "Chicano" and calling them "wetback."

Also, I don't understand how so many people can get to college -- or in many cases many years beyond it -- and not realize that there is something called "cultural context." You can't compare stereotypes of drunk Irish with stereotypes of drunk Mexicans. If you do you're missing out on a whole bunch of historical AND current issues that -- gasp! -- yes, do affect race relations today.

Just a clarification - not a flame: I was responding to someone who said "that would be like objecting to St. Patrick's Day celebrations". I was just noting for the record that some people do object to St. Patrick's Day celebrations (although I'm not leading any protests).