JHU Sigma Chi "Halloween in the Hood Party"

scbelle · #1 10-31-2006, 03:17 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061031/...alloween_party

I wonder what will come of this...

SydneyK · #2 10-31-2006, 03:27 PM

I'm not quite sure I follow the story... Was the fraternity suspended because of the language used in the invitation, because of the skeleton hanging from the noose, or because of the name of the party? Or, was it a combination of the three?

I can understand how this could cause some racial tension, but it doesn't seem like the BSU handled it appropriately when they held a mock lynching of the skeleton.

Either there are big gaps in the story or I'm simply too tired to fully understand it. Or maybe both, I dunno.

REE1993 · #3 10-31-2006, 03:36 PM

"Marvin "Doc" Cheatham, president of the Baltimore branch of the NAACP, said he intends to explore legal action against both the fraternity and the university."

What is the crime upon which legal action could be taken? Is a skeleton or a pirate racist? Is it the word "hood"? I am playing devil's advocate here. I just want to be clear on what the issue is. Excuse my naivete.

DSTCHAOS · #4 10-31-2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REE1993

I am playing devil's advocate here. I just want to be clear on what the issue is. Excuse my naivete.

Playing devil's advocate usually means that you understand yourself but are just trying to get people to question the accepted side of the argument--for the sake of argument.

Topic:

I love Sigma Chis but I wish people would operate under the "if it isn't a necessary theme and has the potential to offend anyone, do something else" rule.

tunatartare · #5 10-31-2006, 04:30 PM

Things like Halloween, Christmas, and Easter parties have the potential to offend Pagans, Jews, Muslims, and people not of Christian faith. Should we not have those either then?

DSTCHAOS · #6 10-31-2006, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

Things like Halloween, Christmas, and Easter parties have the potential to offend Pagans, Jews, Muslims, and people not of Christian faith. Should we not have those either then?

Bad analogy.

RU OX Alum · #7 11-01-2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

Things like Halloween, Christmas, and Easter parties have the potential to offend Pagans, Jews, Muslims, and people not of Christian faith. Should we not have those either then?

Halloween isn't offensive....

well maybe

PhrozenGod01 · #8 10-31-2006, 04:45 PM

Like William Brody, I am also deeply disturbed. Sigma Chi should be suspended from Johns Hopkins forever because of what they did. I mean, who says "bling" anymore? And what the hell is "ice ice"? "Hoochie Hoops"? It's a free country, but what the hell is up with using terms that weren't even that cool six years ago? It probably would be a lot less offensive if the chapter members did some actual research on their theme. I mean, those guys could easily get positions at BET if they didn't date themselves as much as they did.

Okay on a serious note, I wonder how the actual party turned out. I'd love to see some pictures. Before I was greek, I got turned away from some "hood" or "ghetto" themed fraternity parties. That irony stung harder than the actual stereotypes. I'm still protesting BET. Just because they aren't a GLO doesn't mean they don't promote the same ignorance. I'm so mad I can barely ramble.

The king has spoken

LaneSig · #9 10-31-2006, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhrozenGod01

Like William Brody, I am also deeply disturbed. Sigma Chi should be suspended from Johns Hopkins forever because of what they did. I mean, who says "bling" anymore? And what the hell is "ice ice"? "Hoochie Hoops"? It's a free country, but what the hell is up with using terms that weren't even that cool six years ago? It probably would be a lot less offensive if the chapter members did some actual research on their theme. I mean, those guys could easily get positions at BET if they didn't date themselves as much as they did.

Okay on a serious note, I wonder how the actual party turned out. I'd love to see some pictures. Before I was greek, I got turned away from some "hood" or "ghetto" themed fraternity parties. That irony stung harder than the actual stereotypes. I'm still protesting BET. Just because they aren't a GLO doesn't mean they don't promote the same ignorance. I'm so mad I can barely ramble.

The king has spoken

I will not argue that my brothers at JHU did something thoughtless and stupid. In this day and age, no matter that they probably did not intentionally mean to defame or debase another culture, they should have known better. That being said:

* I do not think that banning them 'forever' is a punishment that fits the crime. It was incredibly stupid. They should have known better. Did they intentionally decide: Hey, let's suggest that black people should be lynched? I doubt it. Alternate scenerios: Have them present a forum on racial relations. Have them volunteer at an organization that supports either the African-American community or any other group.

* As a white man, I can never fully comprehend the pain and hurt of the history of lynchings. I can empathize, but that is it. Teach them. Let them learn from their mistake. This reminds me of one of the seasons of "The Real World". One of the white house members made some very racially hurtful statements. One of the African-American female housemates treated him in a very disdainful manner, no matter how he apologized. The African-American male housemate made it his mission to educate the white housemate and show him where his thoughts were wrong. Should we still have to do this in 2006? Ideally not; in reality, yes.

Again, it was a stupid thing to do. It is not justifiable. Should they be punished by being banned forever? I hope not. Teach them where they went wrong and how to avoid it again.

PhrozenGod, I hope you accept my thoughts and feelings in fraternal spirit. It hurts me that any member of my fraternity would intentionally or unintentionally degrade another culture.

LaneSig · #10 10-31-2006, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SydneyK

I'm not quite sure I follow the story... Was the fraternity suspended because of the language used in the invitation, because of the skeleton hanging from the noose, or because of the name of the party? Or, was it a combination of the three?

I can understand how this could cause some racial tension, but it doesn't seem like the BSU handled it appropriately when they held a mock lynching of the skeleton.

Either there are big gaps in the story or I'm simply too tired to fully understand it. Or maybe both, I dunno.

Apparently, it was a combination of the three.

Also, the BSU didn't hold a mock lynching of the skeleton (if I read your post right). The held up a picture of the skeleton and an old picture of a lynching.

ms_gwyn · #11 10-31-2006, 04:20 PM

my reaction to this entire situation is:

OH, PLEASE

This is an overreaction by the BSU, the university, NHQ and NAACP.

SydneyK · #12 10-31-2006, 04:22 PM

Ok... that makes more sense. I read the story too fast, and didn't pay enough attention. But, I still don't get the connection. Lots of people have skeletons hanging around on Halloween - did I miss another connection between Sigma Chi's skeleton and a lynching? I mean, was there a confederate flag on the skeleton, or a kkk hood or something like that? (Not trying to be dense - really - I just don't understand why the BSU responded with the lynching thing.)

DSTCHAOS · #13 10-31-2006, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SydneyK

Ok... that makes more sense. I read the story too fast, and didn't pay enough attention. But, I still don't get the connection. Lots of people have skeletons hanging around on Halloween - did I miss another connection between Sigma Chi's skeleton and a lynching? I mean, was there a confederate flag on the skeleton, or a kkk hood or something like that? (Not trying to be dense - really - I just don't understand why the BSU responded with the lynching thing.)

This could just be a case of how people's perceptions are their realities. The "hood" plus the "bling bling" plus the "skeleton hanging" conjured up images. If it had been a different theme with skeletons hanging then there probably wouldn't be protest.

exlurker · #14 11-02-2006, 04:59 PM

Maybe a positive suggestion would help. How about a party theme that couldn't possibly offend anyone? For a fun event at Johns Hopkins, the invitation could read something like this:

You're invited to Chi Upsilon Zeta's (XYZ's) annual "Medical Fraud Blowout." Come dressed in your white coats, scrubs, or regular golf or tennis wear! Each guest should bring an entry -- WIN CRAZY PRIZES! -- in as many of our traditional categories as they wish. Be creative! Have fun! Our popular categories are

*** Medicare fraud
*** Medicaid fraud
*** Workers' comp fraud
*** Fake data for clinical trials
*** Nursing home kickbacks
*** Personal injury claim fraud (NO WHIPLASH -- it's overdone)
*** Refusal to treat uninsured patients (entries showing a hint of empathy or sympathy will be disqualified)

New this year by popular demand >>>>

*** False data for scientific reports
*** Most outrageous HMO "consultant" fee
*** Most outrageous HMO or hospital medical director salary (can include backdated stock options!)

Our guests will each get one of our famous "M.D. = Mega Dollars" party shirts! Awesome campus wear!

We'll have refreshments, big tubs of real play money, a band, the hottest men and women on campus, and our PARTY TIL U DROP attitude!

Out of ideas for entries? Ask a parent who's a doctor, a friend in med school, or a faculty member!

Nobody could have issues with something like that. Just harmless fun.

Right?

shinerbock · #15 11-02-2006, 05:42 PM

That wouldnt be a party, thats just their life. Its like when people have high society parties, they ask us for clothes.