Sigma Chi (Harvard) Apologizes for Party Theme

exlurker · #1 10-30-2010, 06:04 PM

Sigma Chi's chapter at Harvard has apologized for the theme of its recent party (“Conquistabros and Navajos”).

See the October 27 Crimson article for details:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/20...gma-chi-party/

The apology, excerpted from the article:

“We would like to apologize for the*theme of*the party that we*recently*held.*It*was insensitive and hurtful, especially*for*the Native American*members*of our community. We are deeply sorry for the offense our actions have caused.

As a group that strives to be inclusive, and embraces members of numerous*ethnic backgrounds*and nationalities, including Native Americans, we recognize that this was a serious error of judgment on our part, and we expect better of ourselves. We have taken steps to*increase oversight over future chapter activities to prevent offensive mistakes*like this one. You have our promise that we will not allow it to happen again.

The chapter has decided*to donate*the proceeds from our annual food drive to the*Native American Heritage Association to help rectify, in a small way, the ongoing pervasive deprivation and hunger on our nation's reservations.* Again, we are deeply sorry for the lack of judgment.

Sincerely,
The Members of Sigma Chi at Harvard”

Comment: Glad to see an apology. I'd personally like to see an all-Greek voluntary moratorium throughout North America on “bros and hos” party themes, as well as other themes that make fun of specific ethnic, gender, sexual preference, or socioeconomic groups. None of those themes is particularly funny anymore, and “bros and hos” in particular, with its slight variations, has been done over and over. Time to give it a rest and come up with something actually different.

Lightning Bug! · #2 10-30-2010, 06:24 PM

I would like to know who was supposed to get the proceeds from their food drive.

Elephant Walk · #3 10-31-2010, 04:01 PM

Conquistabros...

haha...

I mean, that's pretty original in my eyes.

TPA85 · #4 10-31-2010, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightning Bug!

I would like to know who was supposed to get the proceeds from their food drive.

I wonder the same thing. Sure hope the guys have another food drive and give the collections to the original intended recipients...

Munchkin03 · #5 11-01-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

Conquistabros...

haha...

I mean, that's pretty original in my eyes.

I think it's pretty funny.

Why are we holding teenagers to some high standard of originality? They don't have the same perspective that we have as alumni of having seen the same events over and over again.

VandalSquirrel · #6 11-01-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I think it's pretty funny.

Why are we holding teenagers to some high standard of originality? They don't have the same perspective that we have as alumni of having seen the same events over and over again.

Aside from thinking it is dumb on a personal level, I am wondering when today's college student will realize if they don't put it all out there they won't get caught. The story I originally read had a picture of the flier and perhaps if people were a bit more savvy with their behavior we wouldn't even know about it. Likely it really is a generational difference with a life completely online but with all of the buzz about people doing dumb stuff that gets out there eventually I would hope people would start practicing some filtering of their activities.

Do I wish people would make better choices and think about their party themes and consequences? Sure but that is unrealistic so maybe they can think about being discreet so they don't have to deal with the man and publicity.

agzg · #7 11-01-2010, 11:24 AM

What's with all the asterisks in the apology?

pshsx1 · #8 11-01-2010, 11:26 AM

A fraternity and sorority here hosted Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes at the start of the year. The school finally slammed down on that and all 'official' party themes have to run by the Dean.

I'm glad that these 'Bros and Hoes' parties will finally be dying.

I did giggle at conquistabros, though. :P

DeltaBetaBaby · #9 11-01-2010, 11:27 AM

I don't think that this is okay, but I see where the brothers would have very little perspective on why this is offensive. The way European settlement of North America is taught in the history books glorifies the conquistadors and their ilk, and largely glosses over the genocide part. This is the same reason we continue to have Columbus Day in spite of its hurtful associations for the Native American population.

Someone in the article compares it to a "Jews/Nazis" party, but it is not an apt comparison as long as we continue to glorify the settlers. A better comparison would be a "corporate tycoons" party, I think.

Again, not excusing the brothers, but this is really a much larger problem with American society and our collective refusal to acknowledge the facts of colonization.

lucgreek · #10 11-01-2010, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshsx1

The school finally slammed down on that and all 'official' party themes have to run by the Dean.

Wow, that sounds awful. Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes isn't even that bad of a theme.

I can understand cracking down on these mixers if people come in obvious offensive attire (black face), but come on. I see way more offensive costumes on Halloween than I ever do at mixers, but Halloween doesn't get a crack down.

southbymidwest · #11 11-01-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucgreek

I can understand cracking down on these mixers if people come in obvious offensive attire (black face), but come on. I see way more offensive costumes on Halloween than I ever do at mixers, but Halloween doesn't get a crack down.

Because individuals make their own questionable Halloween choices. Not the same as a nationally recognized fraternity/sorority chapter making/endorsing/whatever you want to call it a questionable choice.

exlurker · #12 11-01-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agzg

What's with all the asterisks in the apology?

Danged if I know. Maybe someone at Harvard is conducting an under-the-radar celebration of Van Gogh's work?

More likely, though, it's one of those font display glitches that crop up.

knight_shadow · #13 11-01-2010, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshsx1

The school finally slammed down on that and all 'official' party themes have to run by the Dean.

My alma mater requires all official Greek events to be approved in advance by the Greek life advisor. On top of that, my organization (as well as a few others) have to get approval from I/HQ. I never saw it as a big deal, even as an undergrad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucgreek

Wow, that sounds awful. Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes isn't even that bad of a theme.

I can understand cracking down on these mixers if people come in obvious offensive attire (black face), but come on. I see way more offensive costumes on Halloween than I ever do at mixers, but Halloween doesn't get a crack down.

Ditto what southbymidwest said. Individuals wearing costumes do not represent GLOs and universities.

I know that teenagers aren't always the most creative individuals, but I find it hard to believe that 1) they're completely unaware of why themes like this are unacceptable and 2) no one (graduating seniors, advisors, etc) can help them come up with better ideas.

agzg · #14 11-01-2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucgreek

Wow, that sounds awful. Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes isn't even that bad of a theme.

I can understand cracking down on these mixers if people come in obvious offensive attire (black face), but come on. I see way more offensive costumes on Halloween than I ever do at mixers, but Halloween doesn't get a crack down.

The problem with all these bros and hoes themed parties, in my opinion, is that it glorifies the fraternity while denegrating the sorority. I don't remember my sorority ever explicitly planning a "and hoes" type mixer, but we made plenty of questionable decisions in themes that encouraged women to show up skantily clad.

I mean, sure, it was "our decision," but really it was the decision of the social chair. "Show up dressed to match this theme, or don't show up at all."

33girl · #15 11-01-2010, 05:49 PM

I have to say, A for originality on a theme that's been done to death (conquistabros? come on, that's funny), but F for going with such an old and tired theme to begin with.

I suggest "cougars and boytoys" for the next one. All the girls have to be dressed head to toe in animal print clothing from Cache.

And as lucgreek said...I see girls at bars in clothing just as scanty as at any mixer, and they don't need a theme to do it. It doesn't say what kind of ho you have to be. I mean, you can be a sweatpants ho. The only way to stop these kinds of parties is to reduce them to absurdity.