Sorority suspended for "Indian Party."

[PeppyGPhiB]

This situation with our ND chapter is very unfortunate, for a number of reasons. First of all, it was a lame idea for a party - what's so fun about dressing up as "indians"? Second, the chapter exercised poor judgement in choosing the theme, knowing that there are some political sensitivities at the school - perhaps they meant for the theme to be tongue-in-cheek or provacative? Third, Gamma Phi Beta's Web site has had a statement (a press release, actually)up about this for a month, apologizing for the actions of the chapter (almost shaming them) and pledging sensitivity/diversity education. The chapter was reprimanded by their IH - I'm sure they're on notice not to do something like this again. A suspention by the University seems to serve no additional purpose to me.

I do think my sister (SWTXBelle) makes a good point about something. Why do African Americans, Native Americans, Asians and whomever else think it's cool to use St. Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo and other holidays meant to celebrate a day special to specific ethnic/religious groups as a booze and costume fest, but get in a tizzy when those Irish, Catholics and Mexicans decide to "celebrate" others' cultures in the same way? I'm 100% Irish and Scottish, and I don't give a whoop if people think St. Patrick's Day is a big party - I prefer to see it as one day a year when everyone wants to be me As for Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday, and Cinco de Mayo, I bet most people wouldn't even know what they're celebrating.

So what's my point? My point is people make up stupid excuses to party.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Why do African Americans, Native Americans, Asians and whomever else think it's cool to use St. Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo and other holidays meant to celebrate a day special to specific ethnic/religious groups as a booze and costume fest, but get in a tizzy when those Irish, Catholics and Mexicans decide to "celebrate" others' cultures in the same way?

Irish, Catholics, Mexicans -- whomever is offended -- certainly all have the right to complain and educate.

I've also never met an Irish person or a Catholic person who felt maligned and subjugated by people outside of their culture celebrating it.

I know Mexican Americans who are offended by Cinco de Mayo celebrations, so I don't celebrate it.

Society as a whole and more specifically the media have a hand in what makes it "okay" to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with drinking and Mardi Gras with drinking and tits. There aren't news briefs about massive MLK Day parties like there are stories of St. Patrick's Day bar crawls. In fact, I believe that in my community, MLK Day activities (prayer breakfasts and parades) are given the same kind of coverage as St. Patrick's Day events and have the same kind of tone as the majority of reasonable people treat the days.

Yes, people make up stupid reasons to party, but that's really not the point.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Yes, people make up stupid reasons to party, but that's really not the point.

Yep.

Many people do not have to work on MLK Day. However, I don't care what they do with their day off, most of which won't have anything to do with MLK. As long as a group doesn't have an MLK Day themed event and have negative imagery or references.

[SWTXBelle]

I am happy for New Orleans to make money hand over fist with Mardi Gras. That said - I've often wondered how many of those revelers will be in church on Ash Wednesday. After all, Mardi Gras (basically, good-bye to fat!) was when good Catholics and Anglicans got rid of all the food they would be giving up for Lent - hence the pancake suppers many churches put on on Shrove Tuesday. Again, it's an excuse to party. This particular one is so firmly entrenched that there's no going back - but that doesn't mean that I'm thrilled that a religious observance has now degenerated into flashing boobs and getting drunk.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Irish, Catholics, Mexicans -- whomever is offended -- certainly all have the right to complain and educate.

I've also never met an Irish person or a Catholic person who felt maligned and subjugated by people outside of their culture celebrating it.

Hello, my name is SWTXBelle. It's a pleasure to met you.