A Multicultural Sorority?

[Kevin]

Blackface is something which has its own sordid history. We know why that's offensive.

"Redface" has no such history. I don't think portraying the physical characteristics of another race is per se offensive. We need to all be a little less touchy about things. The action the natives are bringing is apparently a "discrimination" action. Who was discriminated against? Did they have a sign at the door which read "People of native ancestry not welcome!" No. Of course not.

This discrimination suit is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt by some idiots to use the law to punish thought-crime.

I guess the next time anyone holds a toga party, greek/italian student organizations need to stage a protest, right?

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Blackface is something which has its own sordid history. We know why that's offensive.

"Redface" has no such history. I don't think portraying the physical characteristics of another race is per se offensive. We need to all be a little less touchy about things. The action the natives are bringing is apparently a "discrimination" action. Who was discriminated against? Did they have a sign at the door which read "People of native ancestry not welcome!" No. Of course not.

American Indians would disagree with you. Putting on red facial paint, or "war paint" may not have the same history as blackface, but American Indians have, as a people, been abused, slaughtered, lied to, practically enslaved, forced off their land, forced to abandon their heritage, and forced to live in poverty throughout history.
Treating a race of people as if they are a Halloween costume is more than ignorant immaturity.

You should know better than to play word games with the name of the action. If the "discrimination action" definition includes that of their complaint, such as the creation of a hostile environment, then they were in face "discriminated against" by the technical definition.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

American Indians would disagree with you. Putting on red facial paint, or "war paint" may not have the same history as blackface, but American Indians have, as a people, been abused, slaughtered, lied to, practically enslaved, forced off their land, forced to abandon their heritage, and forced to live in poverty throughout history.
Treating a race of people as if they are a Halloween costume is more than ignorant immaturity.

And toga parties depict Greeks and Romans in a negative light as well. Are they not entitled to the same sort of protections?

I don't really need an education on how natives have been treated in this country. I live a state where our culture and politics feature native issues very prominently.

Blackface in itself was one thing. War paint is quite another. There is no comparison between the two except that a select group of indians who pretend to speak for the whole are acting all butt hurt over something people did at a private party.

War paint does no more to treat a race of people as "Halloween costumes" than dressing up in a toga, or as a viking, or whatever. The party seems more geared at depicting the cowboys and indians of old western films.

You should know better than to play word games with the name of the action. If the "discrimination action" definition includes that of their complaint, such as the creation of a hostile environment, then they were in face "discriminated against" by the technical definition.

If these folks weren't in the "hostile environment," then they lack standing. If this complaint is actionable under the school's policy, then that school's policy is likely not constitutional. Schools try to force students to adopt these ridiculous PC standards of conduct sometimes. This seems to be some massive overstepping of what the school should or should not be engaged in.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Kevin

And toga parties depict Greeks and Romans in a negative light as well. Are they not entitled to the same sort of protections?

This goes back to historical context and the social significance of negative portrayals beyond people's feelings just being hurt.

If a group of Greeks and Romans came together to protest toga parties, pulling from the historical context of negative portrayals that extended to social exclusion, then YES they are entitled to the same sort of protections.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by Kevin

And toga parties depict Greeks and Romans in a negative light as well. Are they not entitled to the same sort of protections?

I don't really need an education on how natives have been treated in this country. I live a state where our culture and politics feature native issues very prominently.

Blackface in itself was one thing. War paint is quite another. There is no comparison between the two except that a select group of indians who pretend to speak for the whole are acting all butt hurt over something people did at a private party.

War paint does no more to treat a race of people as "Halloween costumes" than dressing up in a toga, or as a viking, or whatever. The party seems more geared at depicting the cowboys and indians of old western films.



If these folks weren't in the "hostile environment," then they lack standing. If this complaint is actionable under the school's policy, then that school's policy is likely not constitutional. Schools try to force students to adopt these ridiculous PC standards of conduct sometimes. This seems to be some massive overstepping of what the school should or should not be engaged in.

Just something to consider:

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - The head of the United Methodist agency for social action and advocacy has written to the Washington Redskins asking that the football team change its name.
"The name is offensive and hurtful to the many Native Americans who are citizens of this nation and to all people who reject racial stereotypes and bigotry as socially acceptable," writes the Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.

Fassett acknowledges the difficulty of such a change and the need to involve both the National Football League and the club's fans. The term "redskins" has been derogatory from its start, he says, and by embodying a history of degradation and slaughter, it demeans the team as well as Native Americans.

He cites the denomination's act of repentance for racism on May 4, as well as a resolution in the church's current Book of Resolutions that is "a call for repentance for the church's role in the dehumanization and colonization of our Native American sisters and brothers."


http://gbgm-umc.org/usa/umns062200jpmw.stm


ETA: To the topic itself....there were questions as to whether or not it was a private affair etc and so forth...ladies and gentlemen...let us all remember (sorry if I preach to the choir but I think we are missing this) that what we do in the privacy of our own homes and residence, halls etc are just that....but when it is done advertising your org. regardless of what it is....at that point, what people see people will take at face value. You are your organization's face. People who see any type of activity will make a baseline judgement from those activities. It's not based on the individual(s). So when you hear that Joe Shmoe, Jane Shmore of XYZ org did ABC event that got whatever attention in the news...what part do you think people pay attention to more?

Common sense should dictate, if you are going to do something that may be questionable to your org...

1. THINK
2. If you really decide that you are going to do it...disassociate yourself beforehand because once pix pops up and they see you doing something questionable and letters involved...it's YOUR ORG that comes under question not you. and that image will make more of a lasting impression....


Beta Theta Pi at Aurburn imitating Omega Psi Phi (in black face even) anyone.....?

[SWTXBelle]

I have to respectfully disagree about intent not being important. Someone who unthinkingly acts in a culturally insensitive way can be educated. Someone who does it with malice would probably not. 18 - 22 year olds do stupid things - one advantage to going to college and being in a GLO is that you hope they will grow, learn and mature. The programming of NPC sororities is geared to help their members in the process.

eta - and it is my understanding that the problem began with pictures posted on Facebook. FYI.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I have to respectfully disagree about intent not being important. Someone who unthinkingly acts in a culturally insensitive way can be educated.

Anyone can be educated, intent or unintent. But most people with a grain of brain will claim to not know that they were potentially being offensive.

Many of these incidents have prompted campus forums on tolerance and diversity. But that doesn't stop the university or the nhq from handing down sanctions. People learn best when education is mixed with a sanction because now they see the consequences of their actions.

Now if these were 5 year olds we are talking about, then I'd truly believe they were clueless.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Now if these were 5 year olds we are talking about, then I'd truly believe they were clueless.

Do you honestly believe that they thought "I know this is offensive, but I don't care?". No one, of course, can know for sure, but if they knew it was offensive and chose to do it anyway I don't think they would have happily posed for pictures, and then posted them on facebook. Insensitive means they didn't consider others feelings - it doesn't have to mean that they considered them, and then said it didn't matter.

There have been comparisons between black face and this, and I think the difference is that because of the association with sports teams "redface" has been seen and accepted by some in a way that blackface is not. That is not to say that it is not wrong, but that there is not the overwhelming agreement on the topic that you have with blackface. Turn on your TV and you can see sports fans whooping away, tomahawk chopping, etc. There is a very active debate on the matter, and it still has shades of gray that, not to be punny, you don't have when discussing blackface.

eta - so, to get past the point where we argue back and forth over something we can't know (whether or not they meant to be offensive), what do you think the appropriate response should be?

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

eta - and it is my understanding that the problem began with pictures posted on Facebook. FYI.

With the widespread availability of photos/etc, it is all the more reason to NOT act in such a way that could possibly come back to bite you at a later date.

Take those Rho Chis being discussed in the Risk mgmt forum for another example.

[SWTXBelle]

Don't I know it - that's why I posted the fyi.

[starang21]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I don't think portraying the physical characteristics of another race is per se offensive.

because you're not the one who is being offended.

[starang21]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Blackface is something which has its own sordid history. We know why that's offensive.

"Redface" has no such history. I don't think portraying the physical characteristics of another race is per se offensive.

i did just want some clarification on this. are you saying practices such as "yellow, brown, red, >insert color<face" aren't neseccarily offensive, however blackface is?