Penn State Chi O Under Investigation

[AOII Angel]

Mustaches are a thing right now, and I'd bet it's more about the mustache than mocking Mexicans. The signs put them over the top.

[aephi alum]

This story made it to CNN.

It's the signs that push it over the top. *smh*

[Just interested]

I own a sombrero and even a serapes is no problem. All you have to do is visit Fiesta in San Antonio every April to see them worn by people of all nationalities and backgrounds and sold on every street corner. The signs, however, crossed the line. They turned what could have been a cute theme party into something entirely different. Where were the peasant blouses, the brightly colored skirts and the rings of flowers in their hair? No, they intended to degrade and that is inexcusable.

[chi-o_cat]

This was posted on the Chi Omega Facebook page this morning:

Sisters and friends,

Please read below for an important announcement from Chi Omega.

The Governing Council of Chi Omega Fraternity placed its Nu Gamma Chapter at Pennsylvania State University on probation effective Monday, due to members portraying inappropriate and untrue ethnic stereotypes at a social function.

Chi Omega's national headquarters staff is working closely with the university and Panhellenic Council on campus to implement corrective educational directives for the chapter.

"I am disappointed in the choices made by our Nu Gamma Chapter members and we regret any pain caused," said Chi Omega's National President Letitia Fulkerson. "We are taking this situation very seriously. Chi Omega does not condone behavior that violates our organization's policy on human dignity."

The Fraternity expects its members to share and promote the belief that self-respect, esteem, and a respect for others are necessary ingredients for healthy relationships with all members of the Penn State community.



http://www.chiomega.com/flourish/chi...nnstatechapter

[MaggieXi]

This made the local Philadelphia area news last night. The reporter was trying to make a correlation between the Chi Omega photo and that the school has been "riddled with controversy since the Jerry Sandusky issue". IMO, it was a big leap to try and make.

[jenidallas]

And it made the Today show too. Beyond perpetuating false cultural stereotypes, now we are in the position of having negative Greek stereotypes perpetuated too.

[ibis]

Then in a different vein, if one is not Irish, can I celebrate St. Patricks Day and wear shamrocks and green?

[MaggieXi]

Does anyone think that had this been any other campus - it would have been passed over by the media? But for the fact that this is Penn State, it was picked up on?

[lovespink88]

Originally Posted by ibis

Then in a different vein, if one is not Irish, can I celebrate St. Patricks Day and wear shamrocks and green?

Not quite the same when you don't include an offensive sign that makes sweeping generalizations about a culture.

Originally Posted by MaggieXi

Does anyone think that had this been any other campus - it would have been passed over by the media? But for the fact that this is Penn State, it was picked up on?

*Raises hand* We had an almost identical issue on my campus when I was a freshman. I don't think it made it past the school paper.

ETA: Apparently it did make it to the local paper cause I just found a link here on GC. But yeah, it didn't get any bigger than that.

[ADPi95]

Just took a look at the photo, and what could have been a totally cute pic with the sombreros and sarapes (even the mustaches), they totally ruined it with the signs. Being Hispanic I don't take offense to the costumes used, but the signs were way out of line.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by ibis

Then in a different vein, if one is not Irish, can I celebrate St. Patricks Day and wear shamrocks and green?

Yes, and it'd still be okay if you dressed up like a leprachan, drank far too much green beer and went around looking to start fights with Protestants.

I don't see the Irish student association doing anything more than raising a glass to you.

[chi-o_cat]

There was a thread on GC about the topic of racism and theme parties somewhat recently, actually:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=129656

I agree that the signs are what sent this story into the national news, instead of just something in a college newspaper. The costume choices are unfortunate, but the signs are unacceptable.

[naraht]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Yes, and it'd still be okay if you dressed up like a leprachan, drank far too much green beer and went around looking to start fights with Protestants.

I don't see the Irish student association doing anything more than raising a glass to you.

Of course that would be different if you were at Queen's University Belfast. (The Irish stereotype *more* controversial and the Mexican/Latin American *less*).

From what I can tell, Sombreros more broadly Latin American in distribution and the Serapes more specifically Mexican

[HQWest]

And of course - no one would have a problem if they had had a toga party.

(I couldn't resist. )

[33girl]

^^In all seriousness, we've had people on here from Greece very upset that we are calling ourselves "Greek" organizations.

I've said it before and I'll say it again until this camera-happy internet-happy have-to-share-every-breath-of-my-life-with-the-world generation gets it - DON'T TAKE PICTURES AT MIXERS. IF YOU DO, DON'T SHOW THEM TO ANYONE OUTSIDE THE CHAPTER. No, I'm not saying what they did was OK, I just can't believe that no one these days gets this.

And this is definitely getting blown out of proportion because it's Penn State. I'm waiting for the inevitable news story that one of the Sandusky victims was of Mexican descent (i.e. their great great grandpa or something).