Sorority suspended for "Indian Party."

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

Did you not read Drollefille's post? Guess not.

Her premise is faulty in that I don't think this "cowboys and Indians" party is directed at any real culture. Rather, it seems calculated to imitate the cowboys and Indians found in 20th century serial westerns, e.g., the Lone Ranger, Lonesome Dove, etc.

For what Drole said to ring true, I suppose these ladies would have needed to have a "Cowboys and Sioux" party or something to that effect as there is really no such thing as a broad Native American culture.

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Her premise is faulty in that I don't think this "cowboys and Indians" party is directed at any real culture. Rather, it seems calculated to imitate the cowboys and Indians found in 20th century serial westerns, e.g., the Lone Ranger, Lonesome Dove, etc.

For what Drole said to ring true, I suppose these ladies would have needed to have a "Cowboys and Sioux" party or something to that effect as there is really no such thing as a broad Native American culture.

Kevin. Read.

However the point here is that somehow, American Indians shouldn't be upset that people dress up like them and get loaded because Catholics/Irish/Mexicans don't get upset about Mardi Gras/St. Patrick's Day/Cinco de Mayo. There's a big difference here. The latter are events that are intended for celebration (even St. Patrick's day), the first is dressing up in an attempt to "imitate" another culture. The equivalent here would be dressing up as a pregnant nun/ pedophile priest combo. I hate that and I get offended by it. VAST difference.

Nothing in that paragraph mentioned "cowboys and indians".

[pbear19]

If I may, I believe the distinction Kevin is making is the difference between the party this chapter had, and doing a party theme about some vulgar, negative stereotype of native americans. I.e., something to do specifically with drinking, or gambling, or a reinactment of a massacre of some kind. That to me would be the same as the border crossing party.

I too am not saying that the party was in any way appropriate, but there are infinite ways it could have been more inappropriate and more offensive, had the actual intent been to offend.

[breathesgelatin]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Her premise is faulty in that I don't think this "cowboys and Indians" party is directed at any real culture. Rather, it seems calculated to imitate the cowboys and Indians found in 20th century serial westerns, e.g., the Lone Ranger, Lonesome Dove, etc.

For what Drole said to ring true, I suppose these ladies would have needed to have a "Cowboys and Sioux" party or something to that effect as there is really no such thing as a broad Native American culture.

Kevin, it's exactly the "generic evil Indian in a headdress" image that we see in these movies (and serving as sports team mascots, etc.) that is so offensive, because it erases the reality of American Indian cultural diversity and portrays them in a simplistic and stereotyped fashion.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by breathesgelatin

Kevin, it's exactly the "generic evil Indian in a headdress" image that we see in these movies (and serving as sports team mascots, etc.) that is so offensive, because it erases the reality of American Indian cultural diversity and portrays them in a simplistic and stereotyped fashion.

Yes. That's a realistic concern because so many people are looking to a party hosted by the North Dakota Gamma Phi Betas to guide their views on Indian cultural diversity.

[breathesgelatin]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Yes. That's a realistic concern because so many people are looking to a party hosted by the North Dakota Gamma Phi Betas to guide their views on Indian cultural diversity.

That's not a refutation of my point. It's an irrelevant counter.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by breathesgelatin

That's not a refutation of my point. It's an irrelevant counter.

It's pointing out that the point you are making is not rooted in reality whatsoever.