ASU fraternity suspended after 'offensive' MLK party

[MiniDoom]

Whatever, dude. The kids did everything short of dressing up in blackface.

If you don't see the issue with throwing this party on MLK day, then you're hopeless.


Again I ask, when you continually find yourself defending racists, misogynists, homophobes and other bigots, don't you think you might want to examine your views on the world?

do you have an issue with kids dressing up as American Indians on Halloween?

 

[MrPickins]

do you have an issue with kids dressing up as American Indians on Halloween?

Depends, are they dressing up and acting like these guys?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_at9dOElQk

If so, then yes.


Same thing with throwing a party on Chinese New Year and having everyone act like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTnShKVX560

 

[nehalem256]

Whatever, dude. The kids did everything short of dressing up in blackface.

If you don't see the issue with throwing this party on MLK day, then you're hopeless.

Again I ask, when you continually find yourself defending racists, misogynists, homophobes and other bigots, don't you think you might want to examine your views on the world?

Except as I have pointed out no racists found.

You just keep trying to insist that their intent was to perpetuate stereotypes. As opposed to having a fun time, which seems much closer to lampooning. I mean come on who associates watermelon with gangstas? That should be a clue as to what is really going on.

 

[MiniDoom]

Depends, are they dressing up and acting like these guys?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_at9dOElQk

If so, then yes.


Same thing with throwing a party on Chinese New Year and having everyone act like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTnShKVX560

cool, was just curious. i'm indian and every year on Halloween, kids come to my house with feathers in a head dress and I've yet to meet another american indian that's worn a feather on their head. doesn't really bother me, but this thread got me thinking about how universally accepted it is while blackface is such taboo.

 

[MrPickins]

Except as I have pointed out no racists found.

You just keep trying to insist that their intent was to perpetuate stereotypes. As opposed to having a fun time, which seems much closer to lampooning. I mean come on who associates watermelon with gangstas? That should be a clue as to what is really going on.

My point was that the lack of positive intent was the cause of perpetuating the stereotypes.

In my opinion, there is no reason to act them out without the intention of deliberately bringing attention to their absurdity/offensiveness.


As for the watermelon thing, you and I both know what their meaning was.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermelon_stereotype

 

[nehalem256]

My point was that the lack of positive intent was the cause of perpetuating the stereotypes.

In my opinion, there is no reason to act them out without the intention of deliberately bringing attention to their absurdity/offensiveness.


As for the watermelon thing, you and I both know what their meaning was.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermelon_stereotype

Actually I had idea where the stereotype comes from and I doubt the fraternity did either. And said stereotype has never been associated with gangstas, and in fact the idea of a bunch of drug dealers getting together and enjoying watermelons is pretty silly

And I seriously doubt that shows like South Park and the Chappelle show had any real "positive intent" when they use racial stereotypes for comedic purposes. The purpose is to make people laugh and make money. Pretty much what I imagine the purpose of the fraternity party.

The only difference is that fraternity is an easy target while a show that makes millions of dollars for a company isnt. So its obvious which the PC police will go after. While in reality if you see perpetuating racial stereotypes as horrible I would think going after shows which are seen by millions is much more important.

 

[MrPickins]

Actually I had idea where the stereotype comes from and I doubt the fraternity did either. And said stereotype has never been associated with gangstas, and in fact the idea of a bunch of drug dealers getting together and enjoying watermelons is pretty silly

It wasn't national drug dealer day, it was MLK day, and these were all stereotypes about black culture. You're really stretching your argument to its breaking point here.

And I seriously doubt that shows like South Park and the Chappelle show had any real "positive intent" when they use racial stereotypes for comedic purposes. The purpose is to make people laugh and make money. Pretty much what I imagine the purpose of the fraternity party.

The only difference is that fraternity is an easy target while a show that makes millions of dollars for a company isnt. So its obvious which the PC police will go after. While in reality if you see perpetuating racial stereotypes as horrible I would think going after shows which are seen by millions is much more important.

I've heard Dave Chapelle speak in person about his intent for the show (and how it went awry). I trust him just a bit more than you on this topic.

Also, I'm more than willing to bet the same is true with South Park (you did watch the episode I linked, right?)...

 

[Geosurface]

If you don't see the issue with throwing this party on MLK day, then you're hopeless.

Depends on what seeing "the issue" entails. If seeing it entails thinking they were stupid and low class and insensitive, I see the issue.

If, on the other hand, seeing the issue necessitates agreeing that they need to be punished by the university, then count me out.

 

[MrPickins]

Depends on what seeing "the issue" entails. If seeing it entails thinking they were stupid and low class and insensitive, I see the issue.

If, on the other hand, seeing the issue necessitates agreeing that they need to be punished by the university, then count me out.

They weren't punished by the university for their insensitivity, it was for violating sanctions against their frat for previous issues.

I'm not arguing that the kids should be kicked out of school (or even personally censured)*, but some posters here seem to think that what they did wasn't offensive at all.


*I should note that I'm fine with the frat being punished/banned over this, because not being in a frat in no way limits a students ability to achieve academic goals.

 

[Geosurface]

I realize they had other infractions but most of the debate here has been from the premise of the party being the only issue and I think that's a more interesting question.

I find their party tasteless, crude, and unappealing - but wrong? Not really. To me it's like a crass joke in poor taste someone makes. My opinion of them lowers, and I'm put off, but there is no moral outrage.