Sigma Chi (Harvard) Apologizes for Party Theme

exlurker · #1 10-30-2010, 06:04 PM

Sigma Chi's chapter at Harvard has apologized for the theme of its recent party (“Conquistabros and Navajos”).

See the October 27 Crimson article for details:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/20...gma-chi-party/

The apology, excerpted from the article:

“We would like to apologize for the*theme of*the party that we*recently*held.*It*was insensitive and hurtful, especially*for*the Native American*members*of our community. We are deeply sorry for the offense our actions have caused.

As a group that strives to be inclusive, and embraces members of numerous*ethnic backgrounds*and nationalities, including Native Americans, we recognize that this was a serious error of judgment on our part, and we expect better of ourselves. We have taken steps to*increase oversight over future chapter activities to prevent offensive mistakes*like this one. You have our promise that we will not allow it to happen again.

The chapter has decided*to donate*the proceeds from our annual food drive to the*Native American Heritage Association to help rectify, in a small way, the ongoing pervasive deprivation and hunger on our nation's reservations.* Again, we are deeply sorry for the lack of judgment.

Sincerely,
The Members of Sigma Chi at Harvard”

Comment: Glad to see an apology. I'd personally like to see an all-Greek voluntary moratorium throughout North America on “bros and hos” party themes, as well as other themes that make fun of specific ethnic, gender, sexual preference, or socioeconomic groups. None of those themes is particularly funny anymore, and “bros and hos” in particular, with its slight variations, has been done over and over. Time to give it a rest and come up with something actually different.

Lightning Bug! · #2 10-30-2010, 06:24 PM

I would like to know who was supposed to get the proceeds from their food drive.

TPA85 · #3 10-31-2010, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lightning Bug!

I would like to know who was supposed to get the proceeds from their food drive.

I wonder the same thing. Sure hope the guys have another food drive and give the collections to the original intended recipients...

Elephant Walk · #4 10-31-2010, 04:01 PM

Conquistabros...

haha...

I mean, that's pretty original in my eyes.

Munchkin03 · #5 11-01-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

Conquistabros...

haha...

I mean, that's pretty original in my eyes.

I think it's pretty funny.

Why are we holding teenagers to some high standard of originality? They don't have the same perspective that we have as alumni of having seen the same events over and over again.

VandalSquirrel · #6 11-01-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I think it's pretty funny.

Why are we holding teenagers to some high standard of originality? They don't have the same perspective that we have as alumni of having seen the same events over and over again.

Aside from thinking it is dumb on a personal level, I am wondering when today's college student will realize if they don't put it all out there they won't get caught. The story I originally read had a picture of the flier and perhaps if people were a bit more savvy with their behavior we wouldn't even know about it. Likely it really is a generational difference with a life completely online but with all of the buzz about people doing dumb stuff that gets out there eventually I would hope people would start practicing some filtering of their activities.

Do I wish people would make better choices and think about their party themes and consequences? Sure but that is unrealistic so maybe they can think about being discreet so they don't have to deal with the man and publicity.

agzg · #7 11-01-2010, 11:24 AM

What's with all the asterisks in the apology?

exlurker · #8 11-01-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agzg

What's with all the asterisks in the apology?

Danged if I know. Maybe someone at Harvard is conducting an under-the-radar celebration of Van Gogh's work?

More likely, though, it's one of those font display glitches that crop up.

pshsx1 · #9 11-01-2010, 11:26 AM

A fraternity and sorority here hosted Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes at the start of the year. The school finally slammed down on that and all 'official' party themes have to run by the Dean.

I'm glad that these 'Bros and Hoes' parties will finally be dying.

I did giggle at conquistabros, though. :P

lucgreek · #10 11-01-2010, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshsx1

The school finally slammed down on that and all 'official' party themes have to run by the Dean.

Wow, that sounds awful. Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes isn't even that bad of a theme.

I can understand cracking down on these mixers if people come in obvious offensive attire (black face), but come on. I see way more offensive costumes on Halloween than I ever do at mixers, but Halloween doesn't get a crack down.

southbymidwest · #11 11-01-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucgreek

I can understand cracking down on these mixers if people come in obvious offensive attire (black face), but come on. I see way more offensive costumes on Halloween than I ever do at mixers, but Halloween doesn't get a crack down.

Because individuals make their own questionable Halloween choices. Not the same as a nationally recognized fraternity/sorority chapter making/endorsing/whatever you want to call it a questionable choice.

knight_shadow · #12 11-01-2010, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshsx1

The school finally slammed down on that and all 'official' party themes have to run by the Dean.

My alma mater requires all official Greek events to be approved in advance by the Greek life advisor. On top of that, my organization (as well as a few others) have to get approval from I/HQ. I never saw it as a big deal, even as an undergrad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucgreek

Wow, that sounds awful. Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes isn't even that bad of a theme.

I can understand cracking down on these mixers if people come in obvious offensive attire (black face), but come on. I see way more offensive costumes on Halloween than I ever do at mixers, but Halloween doesn't get a crack down.

Ditto what southbymidwest said. Individuals wearing costumes do not represent GLOs and universities.

I know that teenagers aren't always the most creative individuals, but I find it hard to believe that 1) they're completely unaware of why themes like this are unacceptable and 2) no one (graduating seniors, advisors, etc) can help them come up with better ideas.

exlurker · #13 11-01-2010, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

. . . I know that teenagers aren't always the most creative individuals, but I find it hard to believe that 1) they're completely unaware of why themes like this are unacceptable and 2) no one (graduating seniors, advisors, etc) can help them come up with better ideas.

^^^ I agree.

ASTalumna06 · #14 11-01-2010, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

My alma mater requires all official Greek events to be approved in advance by the Greek life advisor. On top of that, my organization (as well as a few others) have to get approval from I/HQ. I never saw it as a big deal, even as an undergrad.

Even if all official Greek events have to be approved, you know that "Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes will get submitted as "Fun Golf Party with Iced Tea and Lemonade, yay!!!1!". .. But will obviously be referred to as a Bros and Hoes party behind the scenes.

[/QUOTE]Ditto what southbymidwest said. Individuals wearing costumes do not represent GLOs and universities.[/QUOTE]

You'd be surprised.. All it takes is one complaint...

I know of a chapter who was in huge trouble with their GLO because a member at a Halloween party dressed as a (pretty funny) African American who's famous, and they painted their face black. One person was offended, they reported it to the school, the national organization caught wind of it, and the whole chapter was in trouble for it.

While I agree that the names of these parties are more offensive to women, its not the names that make these parties continue.. Its the girls that are willing to dress like sluts. And as long as that happens, guys will continue to have "hoes" somehow included in the name.

When I was in college, one fraternity had a Pimps and Hoes party. My friend and I decided that we'd go, but we bought hats and canes, made our own bling, and showed up as pimps. Guys complained that we "cheated"..

Everyone can choose what they wear, regardless of what the theme is.. And if girls want to dress like hoes, they will.. And if they want to avoid that, they'll use their heads and find a way around it.

knight_shadow · #15 11-01-2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Even if all official Greek events have to be approved, you know that "Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes will get submitted as "Fun Golf Party with Iced Tea and Lemonade, yay!!!1!". .. But will obviously be referred to as a Bros and Hoes party behind the scenes.

I'm obviously thinking from a non-IFC/NPC POV, so my idea of a party is different. With us, we host our events at a club (or similar location) and use quarter fliers to promote them. We have to get the fliers approved before printing, and if the "wrong" flyer shows up after a party is approved, we get put on social suspension (school and GLO). That's enough incentive to stay away from juvenile names.

Quote:

Ditto what southbymidwest said. Individuals wearing costumes do not represent GLOs and universities.

You'd be surprised.. All it takes is one complaint...

I know of a chapter who was in huge trouble with their GLO because a member at a Halloween party dressed as a (pretty funny) African American who's famous, and they painted their face black. One person was offended, they reported it to the school, the national organization caught wind of it, and the whole chapter was in trouble for it.

That NHQ reacted poorly.