<p>hh–no of course you don’t have to “respect” gangsta rap. That’s a straw man, IMO. Recently NPR interviewed someone (black man whose name I didn’t get) who is going around the country speaking against the misogyny in this “music” and what it is doing to young black men and women.</p>
<p>No one is being forced to respect gangs, drugs & violence. </p>
<p>In diversity training, the hope is that some ray of light will shine on these poor, ignorant, smug souls.</p>
<p>Bill Cosby probably. No one else is saying much about it.</p>
<p>So what you are saying is kids don’t have to respect it, but they can’t make fun of it.</p>
<p>Which they resent. Because it is making these people a <em>protected group.</em> In a free society, why should any group have special protection?</p>
<p>And before you jump down my throat–equal, yes–special, no and excluding the affirmative action debate.</p>
<p>This is the reality in California:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.city-journal.org/html/16_4_hispanic_family_values.html[/url]”>http://www.city-journal.org/html/16_4_hispanic_family_values.html</a></p>
<p>hh–no it wasn’t Bill Cosby. I believe I would have recognized <em>his</em> name. It was a young man who “saw the light” and realized his generation was being exploited by hucksters.</p>
<p>Probably a conservative Republican.</p>
<p>Collegemom16:</p>
<p>I’m glad you posted that follow-up comment. Context is everything. I think the “roast” idea is a plausible explanation for why students would dress up like that. They went to a private off-campus birthday party hosted by a friend who is half Mexican and who chose the South of the Border theme. They had to have thought that the stereotype “costumes” would be taken as a joke and not a hurtful sneer on his Latino heritage. If this was a close friend, they had to know that they were not going to wound him with those costumes. I’ve been wondering how the host reacted — did he scold them and tell them to take off the costumes or did he laugh about it and get that they were teasing him. Was he hurt? It would upset me if my son or daughter wore a costume to a party intending to deliberately hurt someone’s feelings, but I would understand the costume if they thought they were playfully “roasting” someone who was not going to be bothered by it. </p>
<p>The hurt came when what was private became widely public, and that was a huge mistake. (How naive they were to post these photos on Facebook.) After it all became public, the students were right to apologize quickly. Let me repeat, context is everything. I think that an ethnic theme party that’s held in a frat or a dorm and it’s public, on or off campus, would be wrong because costumes involving negative stereotypes would be hurtful to people. Some of the harsh reaction to this particular party is a reaction against this type of theme party in general. My two cents.</p>
<p>Interesting link hh. </p>
<p>Does the fact that gov’tal agencies are concerned with what they consider ‘social dysfunction’ among the Hispanic community mean it is okay for a group of affluent college students to mock this community?</p>
<p>jazzymom - Context is everything. Please take the time to read the other 25 or so posts at collegemom’s link. Interestingly, quite a few SCU students got on that forum and made some very ignorant, racist comments. Some of the posters merely think it is much ado about nothing, no apologies needed. But there are many who express the following sentiments…</p>
<p>lovethedifferences
posted 2/20/07 @ 2:53 PM EST </p>
<h2>The problem arising from the recent influx of theme parties within the Santa Clara community and other campus’s around the country is the fact that we can hold these parties without realizing they can offend not just a couple individuals, but entire groups of people. These events show us that enough people on our campus are not exposed to people who come from different life-styles then their own. Yes, it is good to be able to laugh at ourselves, but not when we use hurtful stereotypes as an excuse to get drunk. The students attending the party shouldn’t be punished, but more needs to be done so that the majority of students here don’t graduate in ignorance, and so that eventually, the population at Santa Clara will start reflecting the population outside the walls of our campus. Why can’t unity come from knowledge about others rather then color-blindness. I for one am not willing to push back my cultural and ethnic identity so that the greater society can accept me.</h2>
<p>Lucero
posted 2/17/07 @ 7:47 PM EST
To make fun of people’s misfortunes, in this case an ethnic group’s negative stereotypes, has always been an offensive act regardless of who you are or where you come from. This event was just mean; having fun by exploiting other’s misfortunes is just wrong. Even if the the party members didn’t “mean” any harm by it, they must remember that actions speak louder than words. I agree that these misguided persons should be educated to be culturally sensitive, something our schools and society have failed to cultivate in them. </p>
<hr>
<p>Newsflash,diversity tolerance does not consist of what you have described above. Your definition of diversity tolerance is farther from the truth. Diversity tolerance means to, have the capacity for one to recognize and respect others ethnicities. You say that we should take this lightly and just laugh, that it’s small stuff. Really? Are you serious? Did you see the picture in which these students at the party had cleaning supplies in their hands? So people struggles of life are funny to you? People that are working two to three jobs in order to support themselves and their families, is funny? Rick, you really do need to look at the other perspective. It is time to get out of your bubble and face some facts that truly are not funny. </p>
<hr>
<p>SCU Alumni
posted 2/17/07 @ 12:47 PM EST
I am from the class of '86. I witnessed and was the object of racial slurs on campus when I was a student, and I’m not surprised at all to see that this incident happened. It is completely offensive to people of all races and those who defend it and/or try to characterize the reaction to it as overblown are offensive and ignorant. </p>
<p>Trying to whitewash the event as a private party that’s nobody’s business ignores the fact that SCU students who attended this party are bound to a code of conduct whether or not they are on or off-campus - a code of conduct that is supposed to embody Jesuit values of Compassion, Conscience, and Competence. Clearly, none of these values was present at this party. </p>
<p>Until SCU leaders, the board, and trustees take compelling and decisive action against racism on campus, racism and the elitist attitudes that perpetuate it will continue to percolate under the thin veneer of “Jesuit university in Silicon Valley.” </p>
<p>Similar attitudes existed over 20 years ago when I was a student at SCU. Ever since then, I could not in good conscience ever contribute funds to a university that was not willing to take action against it. 20 years later, I see my decision was validated. Open your eyes and ears SCU - there are many alums like me, and we don’t forget</p>
<hr>
<p>Jenica
posted 2/18/07 @ 5:54 PM EST
It’s so typical SCU that I would read this article then have to read all of these ignorant follow ups. It so unfortunate, really unacceptable, that SCU does not look like its going to turn itself around anytime soon. Although SCU gives you a great education in the classroom, the school continues to produce ignorant people. I wish the adminstration and ALL the student leaders (not just the progressive ones) would address issues of race head on. It makes me extremely dissapointed as an SCU alumna</p>
<hr>
<p>student
posted 2/20/07 @ 3:29 AM EST
If generalizing an entire race to be janitors or women who are pregnant teenagers isn’t offensive, i don’t know what is. Yes, many latinos are of working class and many of them do have over three children, but poking fun at a people’s struggles and realities because they weren’t born with the priviledges that many other people have is far from acceptable. I come from a working class caucasian family and I know if somebody threw a “white trash” party, I would be very offended. I suppose most people who are caucasion at SCU wouldn’t be offended, because they don’t know what it’s like to not have everything handed to them. </p>
<h2>being sensitive to other cultures, understanding why these stereotypes apply, and being thankful for what you have is the lesson we should learn. Instead of attacking minorities and saying they are the ones who declare racism, and who are therefore, alienating themselves, we should try to be more culturally aware and understand why certain actions offend people. of course, there are plenty of theme parties thrown all the time: hawaiian ones where people dress up in sarongs and wear flowers; mexican ones where people wear sombreros and drink tequila; both of those are acceptable and aren’t offensive, because those only show tidbits of a race’s culture, and they don’t imply negative stereotypes and point at a race’s struggles and laugh. </h2>
<p>Disappointed Alum
posted 2/21/07 @ 1:54 AM EST
If you try to brush off this issue as not a big deal and ask them to stop being sensitive, you are just being immature and are unable to truly understand the situation. </p>
<p>Yes, this topic has been blown up into epic proportions, but it does not mean that it is not important. If someone is offended, you apologize. You don’t just tell them to have a sense of humor. </p>
<p>We learned how to apologize and get along with people in 2nd grade. Please remember what you’ve learned in the past so that you may graduate with a degree that actually means something. </p>
<hr>
<p>Kelly
posted 2/21/07 @ 5:32 PM EST
some of the ignorant comments on here are even more depressing then the fact that this party happened at all.
it’s not about being p.c. it’s about not being so ignorant and uncreative as to go out of your way to laugh at people who aren’t rich and white like you… it’s pretty hilarious though right??
i really hope this trend dies down soon, i’d hate to think this was the way the world was going, especially in regards to future lawyers, politicians and businesspeople at scu. you’d think these kids would be a bit smarter than to resort to racist garbage like this.
these kids do not deserve to have their faces blurred, no matter what sorry excuse there is for it. they were totally cool with bragging and showing their faces on a public forum like facebook in the first place, why now after they’ve been called out on it do they have their identities protected?</p>
<p>I do not see too many Santa Clara students or alum looking at the situation as one of their shining moments.</p>
<p>another posting…</p>
<p>Ignorance revealed</p>
<p>To the Editor:</p>
<p>A couple of years ago, I had four hours to assemble a Halloween costume. My idea came while in Benson: dress as the typical Santa Clara girl – Juicy Couture sweatsuit, paparazzi shades, Tiffany’s bracelet and Coach handbag.</p>
<p>I ended up not doing it. People pointed out that I was (am) not blonde, Caucasian, a business major or Catholic. I also realized that the getup was perpetuating a stereotype, making fun of people in a tacky way, and would only be funny for about two minutes.</p>
<p>It’s disappointing to hear about controversies like the theme party, not just because they sound repetitive and are inherently frustrating, but also because the rebuttals against the original complaint often sound the same. I’ve heard a lot of “stop whining, and go back to where you came from.” But people who tell my Chinese face to “go back” don’t seem to realize that such a return trip is a 15-minute drive to Fremont, Calif.</p>
<p>I’ve also read a lot of “minorities should stop segregating themselves based on their culture.” But what’s so wrong with unifying? Sorority girls get together for their exclusive events, and I just wish more power to them and their sisters. What if culture is among someone’s foremost interests? What if someone is passionate enough about his or her identity that he or she is willing to mobilize others around it?</p>
<p>The problem is not that there are no efforts for diversity education or cultural awareness. The problem is that people go through these programs without taking the first step of fully realizing their own agency in the situations. These ignorant acts are repeated because the ignorance is never admitted in the first place.</p>
<p>Mayka Mei</p>
<p>ldmom:</p>
<p>I’m not arguing with the sentiments expressed in the letter you cite either, but notice that its focus is on ethnic theme parties in general and their potential hurtfulness, not on this specific private birthday party where doing harm was unlikely except that the photos ended up on Facebook.</p>
<p>jazzymom - I would argue that if the harm had not occurred now due to publication on Facebook; it would occur later when these students have become adults and a closed mind and a callous heart would perhaps cause them to overlook that bright Hispanic employee for promotion or reject their child’s choice of a spouse who just happens to be African American, etc… The harm is not just the immediate hurt to those who became aware of the party. The harm is what might come from those who think the party was no big deal.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Okay, for the fourth or so time–I never said it was “okay.” I think it is offensive in general to people of that group, and it would be nicer if these parties didn’t occur. On the other hand, people are free to make idiots of themselves in this country, and, as far as I know, no human person has the ability to look into their hearts and determine if they are truly racist individuals. mini, for example, wants these kids to carry with them a dangan for life, with a black mark for un-p.c. behavior at the age of 20. I think this is one of the attitudes kids are rebelling against.</p>
<p>No, I don’t want them to carry a black mark with them for life. Just a little difficulty in their first job interview, and only if the interviewer feels the way I do. If not, well, that’s just the way things are.</p>
<p>And the big problem is simply that these ADULTS just don’t know many folks unlike themselves.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Don’t you think you are projecting a little far into the future. You don’t know what these kids are like in their hearts. I know I am a much different person now than I was when I was in college, for many reasons - I was certainly more self centered, I was certainly more closed minded, I thought I knew everything and noone could convince me otherwise. It is through maturity that I realized that the world doesn’t revolve around me, all of us are just people trying to get through the day in the best possible way, and I certainly can learn a thing or two and do on a regular basis.</p>
<p>Geesh, you people can be really judgemental…</p>
<p>Yes and no, Ag.</p>
<p>Most of the bigots and racists I knew at 20 have not softened with age. </p>
<p>Yes, some people are are more close-minded when they are younger, and change with maturity. Plenty of others don’t. </p>
<p>It’s not judgemental…just a fact.</p>
<p>I get that in your view, mini, lack of full integration is the cause of this and many other of our society’s problems, but I know too many people who never met a black/latino/Jewish etc. person until they were 19 years old (or older) and were/are not racists/bigots to accept that assumption as the cause. In fact, at this particular party, the host was latino. If these kids were the racists some want to believe them to be, I don’t think they’d be friends with this kid to start with. I think it’s much more complicated than that.</p>
<p>Latino, and likely of the same class and experience as most of his friends (and, if not, sought to cover that up.)</p>
<p>I don’t think they were intentionally racist. I think they were drunk, and thought it acceptable to have fun by ridiculing the life experiences of others they simply don’t know. </p>
<p>I would think long and hard before hiring them, NOT because they are racists (I don’t make it a habit to look into people’s hearts), but because of their behavior - what they think is acceptable to do for fun. In my workplace, if (even on their own time) my employees were seen engaged in such behavior, we’d never hear the end of it from clients and communities. (and I’d say that is a good thing!) It’s a chance that, as an employer I would not likely want to take, and if I knew I could prevent it by hiring someone “more qualified”, I’d play it safe. At any rate, I’d certainly want to know.</p>
<p>Call me a cynic, but I don’t believe people who have never had exposure to others of different races, etc. are naturally compassionate. This is why diversity training is important. The tendency is be racist is deeply ingrained.</p>
<p>Just look at how a group of people (who probably don’t even know a single Jew) responds to this (no one standing up to this in disgust):</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb3IMTJjzfo[/url]”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb3IMTJjzfo</a></p>
<p>Well then I guess most college students will be unemployable because most do stupid things while in college.</p>
<p>I think you’re right mini that social class may play more of a role in these parties than racism.</p>