JHU Sigma Chi "Halloween in the Hood Party"

[REE1993]

This discussion reminds me of one of the best movies of all time, PCU. I think I might go rent it right now.

[Reds6]

I think the issue that really set off the black students was that in addition to calling it a hood party and asking folks to dress like blacks in Baltimore they also calling Baltimore as an HIV pit.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by centaur532

My parents are active christians and my mother HATES halloween. Depends where you're from really.

What is an active Chritstian? Social activism or paying dues to Jesus?

I also hate Halloween but can tolerate its antics on occasion.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Reds6

I think the issue that really set off the black students was that in addition to calling it a hood party and asking folks to dress like blacks in Baltimore they also calling Baltimore as an HIV pit.

I missed this part. If this is true, I change my mind: These guys are assholes who intended to offend and I'm glad disciplinary action will be taken.

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by Reds6

I think the issue that really set off the black students was that in addition to calling it a hood party and asking folks to dress like blacks in Baltimore they also calling Baltimore as an HIV pit.

Was this in the FaceBook invitation or were the member(s) saying this at a public meeting?

[ms_gwyn]

Originally Posted by Reds6

I think the issue that really set off the black students was that in addition to calling it a hood party and asking folks to dress like blacks in Baltimore they also calling Baltimore as an HIV pit.

If this is true and not what was presented in the yahoo story and the message by the Sigma Chi Alum, I take my statement back as well, because it seems that the entire story has not been presented. I take back my original statement as well.

[Reds6]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

Was this in the FaceBook invitation or were the member(s) saying this at a public meeting?

It was in the facebook invitation. My thing is if they had to ask the one member to remove it once, then knew he posted it again, they should have taken measures to address the situation before the party.

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by Reds6

It was in the facebook invitation. My thing is if they had to ask the one member to remove it once, then knew he posted it again, they should have taken measures to address the situation before the party.

Firstly, the Facebook advertisement of the party was one of the most horrific and prejudiced statements I have ever read. I was appalled that the statements were made and then defended by a member of the organization I spent 3 years building. The brother who posted the announcement did so without authorization from the school, the national fraternity, or the executive board of the Kappa Upsilon chapter. He also re-posted it after it was taken down, again without any form of authorization.

Let me state, this brother has been stripped of his status as a Sigma Chi, before any of the university’s proceedings even began. Sigma Chi has fought long and hard to be known as a diverse fraternity with brothers from all walks of life. Hatred is not a value we share among our brothers, and intolerance has no place within our ranks. His repeated offensive and un-apologetic behavior forced Sigma Chi’s hand and while an extreme punishment, we felt it was necessary due to the gravity of the incident.

Quote taken from earlier passage.

From my understanding, when it was first posted, the chapter told the (now ex) member to take it down. How do you know that when he put it up again, the chapter knew and did nothing? Should they have checked before the party - probably. Did they check, see it, and do nothing? That has not been stated. The member who put it up has been stripped of his membership. Should the others be punished because of one person? Particularly if they did not know of his repeat posting?

[Reds6]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

Firstly, the Facebook advertisement of the party was one of the most horrific and prejudiced statements I have ever read. I was appalled that the statements were made and then defended by a member of the organization I spent 3 years building. The brother who posted the announcement did so without authorization from the school, the national fraternity, or the executive board of the Kappa Upsilon chapter. He also re-posted it after it was taken down, again without any form of authorization.

Let me state, this brother has been stripped of his status as a Sigma Chi, before any of the university’s proceedings even began. Sigma Chi has fought long and hard to be known as a diverse fraternity with brothers from all walks of life. Hatred is not a value we share among our brothers, and intolerance has no place within our ranks. His repeated offensive and un-apologetic behavior forced Sigma Chi’s hand and while an extreme punishment, we felt it was necessary due to the gravity of the incident.

Quote taken from earlier passage.

From my understanding, when it was first posted, the chapter told the (now ex) member to take it down. How do you know that when he put it up again, the chapter knew and did nothing? Should they have checked before the party - probably. Did they check, see it, and do nothing? That has not been stated. The member who put it up has been stripped of his membership. Should the others be punished because of one person? Particularly if they did not know of his repeat posting?

Yes they should be punished. Banned from Hopkins forever? No. But there is no secret that there is a lot of racial tension between Hopkins students and the Baltimore Community. So knowing that this could be a potentially explosive situation, they should have monitored it more effectively.

[LaneSig]

Should they be punished? No argument here. Please see my earlier post after PhrozenGod's original post. I gave what I thought were several good ideas.

[shinerbock]

Punished for what?

[macallan25]

I don't see why the entire fraternity should be punished becauase one guy posted a facebook invitation that was inappropriate. The fraternity took it down.......and then it was put back up by the same guy. Seems that the punishment should be given to the individual......who was apparently already kicked out.

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

What is an active Chritstian? Social activism or paying dues to Jesus?

I also hate Halloween but can tolerate its antics on occasion.

No, just very involved with their church, that kind of thing. A lot of people say 'I'm a christian' and show up for holiday services.

Also, here is the text from the invite:

OMG RACIST officially invites you to this delightful gaiety in honor of the last day of October, held in the exquisite metropolis paradise that we affectionately refer to as the "mother-f*cking ghetto," aka "the hood" or as I like to call it, "the hiv pit."

Refreshments include Foie Gras, Belgian Caviar, and Cambodian Breast Milk.

Ornate antique bathtubs full of Evian and Perrier will be provided for your bathing pleasure.

Admission to this bonanza is contingent on appropriate accourtrement - regional clothing from our locale is recommended. These include, but are not limited to, fur coats, copious amounts of so-called "bling bling ice ice" grills, hoochie hoops, white Tee's and Air Force Onez.

There will be special "accolades" to those attired in the most conniving and despicable outfits.

OMG RACIST would like you to know that he does not condone or advocate racism, fascism, communism, consumerism, capitalism, terrorism, organism(s), sexism, womanism, jism, or any other -ism's.

For the record, we would like to thank our founding fathers for incorporating the first amendment into the venerable Bill of Rights, and Johnnie L. Cochran for being a true homie and getting Orenthal Simpson, commonly known as OJ, acquitted.

ps we STILL don't discriminate against hoodrats, skig skags, or scallywops.


He then adds two comments to the Facebook invite group page:

Let's talk about Chinese people! With their kung-fu and all that silly ching-chang-chong talk! I can't understand you! Go back to yer country! White power!

Interestingly enough I opened my facebook this morning to find that I was a racist. Deep down inside, I've always known I was a racist. From a young and tender age I've harbored a great hatred for my own race: despising the omnipresence of rice, chopsticks, and fish. And then when I was five my mom told me I was a quarter black, and I became a self-loathing blasian. I've been burning crosses and attending rallies ever since. I'd just like everyone to know that I hate all of you. I don't even know you, and I hate you.

[RU OX Alum]

I don't care if halloween offends anyone, even people who believe as I do. If you're offended by halloween in and of itself, you deserve to be.

[PhrozenGod01]

Originally Posted by macallan25

I don't see why the entire fraternity should be punished becauase one guy posted a facebook invitation that was inappropriate. The fraternity took it down.......and then it was put back up by the same guy. Seems that the punishment should be given to the individual......who was apparently already kicked out.

That's unfortunate. When an individual accepts his bid card/invite into a GLO, he assumes a lot of the risk of other members. It's not that he has to pay for every wrongdoing by every individual member or alumni, but if the organization, as a whole, has an event or function, then every member of the organization is accountable for its success or failure. Had the sigma chi member in question just made a facebook page out of a personal beef with someone else, and did not include the name of his fraternity in the posting, then you're right. The entire fraternity shouldn't have to suffer. But the individual was representing an entire group in trying to get people to come to the party. It is a sacrifice of some individuality, but I know that if the party had been a huge success with nothing bad having happened, every member of the fraternity would take credit for the publicity.

Great fraternities act together. It's what sets them apart from every other student group at most schools.