Sorority suspended for "Indian Party."

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

At what point does a theme go bad? For example, many proms and formals may have "A Night in Paris" or some such theme - the food will be ethnic, but everyone wears formal wear. I don't think anyone objects to those - or do they? Is the problem when they bring in costumes and cheesy pseudo-ethnic music?

If you "object" to something like that you need to reevaluate your life. (not YOU, just "you" in general).

Same goes for just about everything.

Sorry, I just find it really dumb when people get up in arms about "themed" parties, celebrations like cinco de mayo, St. Patricks Day, etc. etc. etc.

Sorry if it offends you, or anybody for that matter. Maybe I'm just an asshole. Maybe I'm just not very sensitive. Whatever.

[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.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

So when we go back to the Sisters of GPB and the American Indian, when does Al Sharpton, and Jessie Jackson come to the fore for them?

Oh, I know, they won't, they are of a redish pigmentation.

This might be the dumbest attempt at tongue-in-cheek from you in years.

Tough competition.

[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.

[macallan25]

People get offended over Mardi Gras?

What?

[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.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by macallan25

If you "object" to something like that you need to reevaluate your life. (not YOU, just "you" in general).

Same goes for just about everything.

Sorry, I just find it really dumb when people get up in arms about "themed" parties, celebrations like cinco de mayo, St. Patricks Day, etc. etc. etc.

Sorry if it offends you, or anybody for that matter. Maybe I'm just an asshole. Maybe I'm just not very sensitive. Whatever.

Dumb? Naw. I find it dumb that some people feel they can take an observance that means something to a group and use it as an excuse to get drunk. I don't know that I'm "up in arms." I actually think I'm pretty reasonable. I believe that most people do their celebrating unthinkingly - without considering that the "trappings" they appropriate might have a sincere meaning. It would be like another fraternity using your ritual in a mocking way, and as an excuse to drink (do fraternities need an excuse? I digress. ) So I'm more disappointed than anything else. It is tough to see something that is meaningful to you degraded.

[Drolefille]

I'm not sure how one can be reasonably offended by other people partying on Mardi Gras. There's nothing sacred about the day itself, and it is in fact, Fat Tuesday with the purpose of getting all that having fun stuff out of your system. (Of course having fun was limited to the people who could afford it in centuries gone by, now anyone can buy some beer for the job)

[SWTXBelle]

Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) is an actual church observance for many. I actually don't have a problem with using the theme of Mardi Gras as celebrated in New Orleans for a formal theme - the beads, masks, colours, etc. That's really more of a regional than a religious observance. It's the debauchery on Shrove Tuesday itself which gives me pause. And even that doesn't more than mildly annoy (and amuse) me.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) is an actual church observance for many. I actually don't have a problem with using the theme of Mardi Gras as celebrated in New Orleans for a formal theme - the beads, masks, colours, etc. That's really more of a regional than a religious observance. It's the debauchery on Shrove Tuesday itself which gives me pause. And even that doesn't more than mildly annoy (and amuse) me.

Although there are certainly Masses on Shrove Tuesday just like any day, it's not traditionally a religious observance. It's pretty much always been eat, drink, be merry for tomorrow we fast.. and the next day. I mean toss in absolution of your sins on that day if you're particularly observant but other than that the debauchery shouldn't be any more shocking on that day than any other from an ecclesiastical perspective.

[SWTXBelle]

I am only speaking from my Anglican (high-church, for what that is worth) experience (I'm married to an Anglican priest) and both Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wed. have specific religious services, which differ from both regular masses and standard confession and absolution. So, while it may be true for you and many others that there is nothing different on that day, for some there is. And that's my only point.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Detroit's in Ireland?

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

How did I miss Detroit in my visit to Ireland last summer??? I can't even find it on the map!

My bad. I meant Irish Americans, not actually Ireland.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I am only speaking from my Anglican (high-church, for what that is worth) experience (I'm married to an Anglican priest) and both Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wed. have specific religious services, which differ from both regular masses and standard confession and absolution. So, while it may be true for you and many others that there is nothing different on that day, for some there is. And that's my only point.

Ah well I'm not as familiar with the Anglican tradition, but then we get away from the heart of the "who has the right to be offended" point. (A silly one but eh silly is fun). Since Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras belonged to the Catholics first, are they the only ones who "get" to be offended?

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

My bad. I meant Irish Americans, not actually Ireland.

While we both knew what you meant ( I assume) trying to say that the Irish Americans do something, thus the Irish do it, misses the point entirely. Perhaps you thought the original reference was more to Irish-Americans though.