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Very good points made on both sides of this issue so far...and I agree that being sensitive to cultural differences is an important aspect of societal harmony...
but, I think the same argument about oppression, injustice, negative images unfairly perpetuated can be made about almost any subgroup.
Backwoods, redneck, hick - can be very offensive to the hardworking, blue collar laborer who puts food on your tables, drives goods and services cross country,etc. These people were often exploited, uneducated, and misused and are one of the reasons we have labor laws, etc. Yet, we love a good hoedown/Sadie Hawkins/white trash party...
I agree that the intent of the mixer was not to offend anyone and I agree that the irony of this occurring in one of the Dakotas is not lost on most.
So, while I agree there is reason to be aware that this type of behavior can go too far and be offensive in some extremes, we can't, for example, freak out every time a kindergarten class has an interactive Thanksgiving celebration where the "Indians" (in traditional garb which usually includes facepaint) have dinner with the "pilgrims."
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