Is a "Pimps and Ho's Party" disrepectful???

[Wolfman]

While those who put on these may not be "racists," a rather amorphous and meaningless term to me, there is kind of naivete and callousness exhibited in some of the posts in this thread.

Naivete in that images have meaning in historical/cultural contexts. To act as though this is not the case and then carry out a certain course of action that brings down sanctions upon yourself shows a lack of wisdom.Wisdom which should characterize typically more privileged young people who will be leaders in our increasingly diverse society.

Callousness in that true growth as a human being involves a growth in the capacity to empathize with Others--that you can see and experience reality from the perspectives of others outside of your in-group, racial,ethnic, gender, socioeconomic,etc. and make empathic choices. It not simply about what I can do but about what should I do. A totaly self-centered worldview is what characterizes children where their needs and desires are paramount.

[msn4med1975]

Originally posted by Drunkie679
I don't feel that this represents my culture. It is only negative if you feel it is negative. We come up with these theme, not to disrespect people, but we do it because they are funny themes that people can dress up for. People don't want to be pimps or be hoes, they dress up like them because it is like halloween. You dress up like something your not and have a good time

Once again I'll ask why dressing up like a hoe or a pimp is FUN for you? And I know it doesn't represent your culture. If it did someone would stop the foolishness.

[ARADPi]

Originally posted by msn4med1975
Once again I'll ask why dressing up like a hoe or a pimp is FUN for you?

Dressing up as a pimp or a hoe is fun for the same reason that dressing up like pumpkin or a ballerina or a super hero is fun. Its a COSTUME. Thats all. No social or historical implications intended. Just a COSTUME.

[SirHornyToad]

Same reason that people enjoy dressing sexy when going to a club, its something they cant get away in normal life due to the social norms placed upon them.

People love a good lingerie and boxers party, but while 100 people might show up to a club/house party dressed in thier skivvies youd be hard pressed to find 100 people willing to go to class or work dressed as such, or even to the local burger joint.

people want to have fun.
people want to be sexual.
people like to dress up.

[Zillini]

Interesting thread. (Thanks for the bump by the way.) A while back this very suggestion came up. Being as I grew up in central Illinois and perhaps I am naive, the thought of it being racist never occurred to me. However it did occur to another advisor.

I had different problems with this theme that have really only been touched on here. Our sorority and I know all others are trying to teach our members to be strong, independent women, to teach them the values and ideals that each of our GLO's were founded on, to teach them to respect themselves and others. I don't think dressing up as either a pimp or a hoe in any way achieves this goal.

I want our women to realize that how they dress and how they conduct themselves at all times not only reflects on their sorority, but more importantly on themselves and the kind of person they are. It doesn't matter if they're going to a costume party, out to a bar on Friday night or to class. People form opinions on how you present yourself no matter what kind of a person you really are at heart.

How many times have we heard about rape cases where the defending attourney attacks the victim about what she was wearing? Was that woman asking to be raped simply because she was wearing a tight, low cut blouse, mini skirt and spiked heels? Of course not, but that rapist, that attourney, those jurors and the rest of the world sit back and think "Hmm...she must have been out looking for some action because she sure dressed like it."

I can't tell you how many times I heard young women lamenting the fact that they can't meet a great guy who is interested in more than just sex. I've mentioned (politely and tactfully of course) that perhaps its the way they've been presenting themselves. If you dress like a tramp, people think you're a tramp. Is this the kind of girl I want to take home to meet my Mama? No, but she'd be alot of fun for the evening!

Heck I agree with the notion that anyone should be able to walk down the street stark naked and nobody should think anything wrong with that person. But face it, that's not how the world works. Would you go to a job interview at a conservative Fortune 500 company dressed like you're the starring act at the local strip club? It's the same as showing up in raggedy cut-off shorts, scroungy t-shirt and flips. You're not going to get the job because that is not the image the company wants to project through it's employees.

This brings me back to the idea of "Pimps and Hoes" as a party theme. With the tragic increases in cases of date rape, I also fear this sort of party would only add to the potential for disaster. At a minimum, throw in some alcohol and it's a recipe for inappropriate and probably unwelcome touching and comments.

As parents, advisors and just as adults, we try to teach young women to never put themselves in a dangerous situation. Don't walk across campus alone after dark. Don't park in dimly lit places. And don't dress yourself like you're looking for trouble, because you'll probably find it. It doesn't matter if you're at a supposedly "safe" party or not.

Bad things happen to good people all the time.

*getting off my soapbox now*

[Drunkie679]

Originally posted by msn4med1975
And I know it doesn't represent your culture. If it did someone would stop the foolishness. [/B]

How do yo know that it does not represent my culture? How do you know what culture I am? Before you make statements like that you should really ask what they are. You can't assume that just because I support the theme, I am not from the culture that is tied to the negative image. I don't see it as disrespect. It does suck that people think because people dress a certain way they are a bad girl, but not all guys think like that. A lot of my friends dress like that to go clubbing just to feel sexy, and they aren't like that.

[Ch2tf]

I am concerned that you even had to ask if the Blackface/KKK party is racist! Do you at all understand the history of blackface, and unless you are a member of the Klu Klux Klan, why would one ever considered dressing up in that get up????

[Ch2tf]

Originally posted by Wolfman
While those who put on these may not be "racists," a rather amorphous and meaningless term to me, there is kind of naivete and callousness exhibited in some of the posts in this thread.

Naivete in that images have meaning in historical/cultural contexts. To act as though this is not the case and then carry out a certain course of action that brings down sanctions upon yourself shows a lack of wisdom.Wisdom which should characterize typically more privileged young people who will be leaders in our increasingly diverse society.

Callousness in that true growth as a human being involves a growth in the capacity to empathize with Others--that you can see and experience reality from the perspectives of others outside of your in-group, racial,ethnic, gender, socioeconomic,etc. and make empathic choices. It not simply about what I can do but about what should I do. A totaly self-centered worldview is what characterizes children where their needs and desires are paramount.

Can I just say DAMN! You summed it up, no other words are needed!

[Lady of Pearl]

I don't see pimps and hoes belonging to any one particular race. However, it (the party) is glorifying a deviant subculture within the United States therefore I see the glorification and subjugation of one class upon the other. One participates as the other in this type of party, and denigrates that particular subculture. One gets to objectify and play with that particular subculture and takes on the antics of it for fun, not particularly intelligent to make fun of or participate in fun of those who are a part of that class.

[msn4med1975]

Originally posted by Drunkie679
How do yo know that it does not represent my culture? How do you know what culture I am? Before you make statements like that you should really ask what they are. You can't assume that just because I support the theme, I am not from the culture that is tied to the negative image. I don't see it as disrespect. It does suck that people think because people dress a certain way they are a bad girl, but not all guys think like that. A lot of my friends dress like that to go clubbing just to feel sexy, and they aren't like that.

So you're inner city youth, of any particular ethnic background, and you think it's okay to glorify a segment of society that BRINGS down those communities? The reason I said it must not be part of YOUR culture is because that would be just an intense case of self-hatred. Dressing up like a HOE is not a costume. Dressing up like a PIMP is not a costume. I know that I may take this a little more seriously because I see multiple implications in it but really the idea of dressing up so someone would mistake me for a streetwalker just seems well stupid.

[Drunkie679]

Honestly, if someone dresses up as a devil does that make them a Satin Worshiper or someone dressing up as a Mask Killer, does that make them a killer. Some people dress up for fun. If you place greater emphasis on it, you are someone who seems to be quick to judge someone.

[MaMaBuddha]

WOW!

I've read this thread over the past couple of years and it seems to me that certain people do not get it.

we join fraternities and sorority to basically uplift our communities and educate.

the day that my sorority would ever put their name on a "pimps and ho's party. i can see my founders rolling over in their graves or even leaving their graves to come and smack the hell out of me for even letting the notion enter my mind to having one of these parties.

*Sorors Osceola Macarthy Adams and Jimmie Bugg MIddleston showing up at my door step to have a serious talk with me*

we were in the women's suffrage movement, because were trying to gain more rights as women not take that step backwards.

the connations behinds those words are not cool.

imagine

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc presents
A Pimps Up and Ho's Down Party

with t-shirts?!?!?!?



now...on the other hands ideas like naming it "playas ball" is cute. anyone can be a playa. any type of negative theme we should stay away from.


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[whittleschmeg]

We do PIMPz ad Hoes parties we also had a "Anything but clothes Party" We made clothing out of ducktape an the guys made clothes out of trahbags or put suspenders on boxes wore old banners some girls wore short skirts and halter tops and wrpped themseleves in towels it was alot of fun.....I have never dressed as a ho but I did dress as a pimp we also have taps with "CEOs and Office Hos" I dunno

[Drunkie679]

Honestly, it is just themes people come up with. Yes, we do come up with many other themes as well, we just did that mixer one time. Many mixers, people dress up for the fun of it, because they like dressing different from everyday life.

[msn4med1975]

Originally posted by Drunkie679
Honestly, if someone dresses up as a devil does that make them a Satin Worshiper or someone dressing up as a Mask Killer, does that make them a killer. Some people dress up for fun. If you place greater emphasis on it, you are someone who seems to be quick to judge someone.

I never said it MADE someone a HOE, I just dont understand why you would want to imitate a hooker or a criminal as that is what a pimp is--and a low life criminal at that as he/she survives off the degredation of others. If being a hooker and a criminal is fun for you enjoy yourself.