Quote:
Originally posted by sigmadiva
An 'insider' is not going to offend you more than an 'outsider', because you have a common bond with the 'insider' that you don't have with the 'outsider'.
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In short, "We may do a little fighting amongst ourselves, but you outsiders best leave us alone."
That sentiment applies to any group, in addition to ethnic/racial ones.
IMHO, in this day and age, **any** type of racial or ethnic stereotyping, regardless of the intent, is not a good thing. And that means all of 'em. Af Am, Irish, whathaveyou. If offense is only noted and taken seriously for one ethnic group and not others, eventually you're going to give the appearance of a double standard, just like the examples given earlier. Either all stereotyping is offensive, or none of it is--that's the only way to get people to take it seriously.
To continue the previous example, it may be true that Irish-Americans do not receive the same amount of discrimiation that they did 100-150 years ago, but to dismiss that past injustice as less relevant is to put a subtle stamp of approval on stereotyping at some level. Eventually you'll be called out for it: "So, it's not that you don't approve of racial/ethnic stereotypes, you just think it's OK for certain groups and not others." Hypocrisy, anyone?
I agree the ethnic-themed parties have to go. Greeks are in a unique position of visibility where they can make a difference here. Not only to refuse to host such parties, but if anyone shows up at their party in an offensive costume/makeup, toss them out on their @$$. (How many stories have we seen on GC where a GLO was accused of racism because someone not affiliated with them had their picture taken in the wrong place and time
)
Bottom line: the only way to eliminate the perpetuation of offensive stereotypes is to condemn ALL OF THEM and not make excuses for some and not others.
</soapbox>
Adrienne
