Old South

[Ghostwriter]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

As PhoenixAzul says, the two options you give are not mutually exclusive.

I was interested that they were carrying the Confederate battle flag. If I recall correctly, KA bylaws prohibit display of that flag at any fraternity function.

Yes I agree that they are not mutually exclusive but does one right dwarf the other? Are they both equal? Is there a right to not be offended? If they had not displayed the battle flag would it have been acceptable?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

Yes I agree that they are not mutually exclusive but does one right dwarf the other? Are they both equal? Is there a right to not be offended?

I think there needs to be some care in using the word "right." What is meant? Constitutional right? Human Right? Oughtabe right? A "rights vs rights" analysis doesn't fit here anyway.

There is a right to free expression, without a doubt. There is no right not to be offended per se. But there is also not a right to speak without being criticized for what you said. Those who exercise their right to free expression must be prepared to accept the consequences of their expression.

What you have here is everyone exercising their right to free expression. The KA chapter did that with its parade, and the attire and flags were part of that. The AKA chapter and others are, in return, exercising their rights to free expression by criticising the chapter for stopping the ante-bellum themed parade in front of the AKA celebration. From the article:

"I don't believe these young folks were in any way trying to be racist," said Joyce Stallworth, an Alpha Kappa Alpha alumna who saw the April 29 parade in Tuscaloosa and is an associate education dean at Alabama. "But they were being insensitive. I don't think they understood the broader implications of what they were doing."

Note: There is no assertion that the chapter violated anyone else's rights. Instead, there are statements that the chapter did not exercise its right to free expression responsibly.

[Ghostwriter]

It is my understanding that KA has held these Old South events for many years. Had they held this function in a ballroom at the downtown Hilton would it have made a difference? What if they had held it at a private location and someone had objected who worked there? Is there a slippery slope?

I would also like to know if and/or why they paused at the AKA house. If that is true, it was truly in poor taste and they should apologize. I cannot imagine they would be that insensitive but I suppose it may be so.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

I would also like to know if and/or why they paused at the AKA house. If that is true, it was truly in poor taste and they should apologize. I cannot imagine they would be that insensitive but I suppose it may be so.

According to The Crimson White:

According to a news release from the fraternity’s national administrative office, an investigation by the national and local KA officials found that the parade "stopped for a very short period of time" while picking up participants, who wore antebellum dresses from a nearby sorority house.

Fraternity officials will work to prevent another situation like it in the future, according to the release.

"We apologize for the interruption of the AKA event," said Will Vandervoort, president of the KA chapter. "We moved our trucks as soon as we could given the traffic and loading and unloading. We sincerely regret what happened."

As for your slippery slope question, I still think that misses the point. People have a right to express themselves freely. People have a right to criticize others' free expressions. Members of the community at large can hear both sides, consider contextual factors and form their own opinions. That collective community opinion might be to join in the criticism. Those criticized can then decide for themselves whether to pay attention to the criticism or not.

Welcome to the marketplace of ideas.