Allegations of racism at KKG fundraiser.

[flowerchild241]

This is ridiculous. I've seen it on news sites in the past few days and can't think of how the fundraiser would have been offensive. People of all races and economic (I have more than a few friends who have gotten picked up for something ridiculous) get arrested and then bailed out, especially in college. This was a cute fundraiser! And for children. Its not like everyone was in blackface and claiming to be gang members or something ridiculous/inappropriate along those lines.

Whats next, kids from higher income houses can't play cops and robbers on the playground unless they are a minority?

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by flowerchild241

People of all races and economic (I have more than a few friends who have gotten picked up for something ridiculous) get arrested and then bailed out, especially in college.

Yes, but not in the same proportions. I could tell you countless stories about white friends in Cook County who were let off with a warning for minor possession, and countless stories about black friends in Cook County who were harassed while doing nothing wrong. But besides my anecdata, African Americans make up about a quarter of the population and about two-thirds of the prison population of Cook County. It is disingenuous to act as though all races are affected equally by the prison-industrial complex.

All that said, I think the appropriateness of this event comes down more to execution. Whether or not "jail and bail" is inherently offensive, obviously this would be a problem if those "arrested" start acting out negative stereotypes of "prison thugs" and the like. The fact that they are wearing orange jumpsuits makes me think they are already heading in that direction. This could go very wrong very quickly, and I could see why the sponsoring organizations would not want to go down that path.

It's like a Greek organization sponsoring an "Around the World" costume party...it's just asking for trouble.

[als463]

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has sponsored "Jail and Bail" events to raise money for their cause. Is that offensive?

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by als463

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has sponsored "Jail and Bail" events to raise money for their cause. Is that offensive?

Have you read this thread?

[als463]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Have you read this thread?

For the record, I was not being snarky. I was being serious. I did read the article and I was still asking the question. I asked because this never occurred to me as I participated in "Jail and Bail" for MDA.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by als463

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has sponsored "Jail and Bail" events to raise money for their cause. Is that offensive?

According the the guy at NU offended by the Jail and Bail it would depend on who attended. If the majority of attendees were wealthy white elitists (which is what makes up NU's Greek system) than yes.