This
past weekend (Feb. 1) a fraternity of the campus of Duke University hosted an
Asian themed party. The controversial party was preceded by an ethnically
insensitive invitation, inviting students to attend "Asia Prime."
Asian students on campus voiced their concerns and the administration suggested
that the fraternity not proceed with the party. The fraternity obliged.
Scrapping the original theme of the party, the fraternity decided to host
"International Relations. A celebration of all cultures and the diversity
of Duke". "...A rose by any other name..."
This
seems to be a reoccurring theme. A fraternity or sorority hosts a themed party
based on the stereotypes of others. The University issues a statement on how
they are committed to diversity and that measures will be put into place to
ensure that situations like this do not occur in the future. And then it
happens again. Are these parties just examples of colleges students having fun?
or is this pure, unadulterated racism? How do scenarios like these impact your perspective of diversity?
This all reminds me of a quote by Fredrick Douglas, “ It has been called a great many names, and it will call itself by yet another name; and you and I will and all of us had better wait and see what new form this monster will assume, in what new skin this old snake will come forth.”
Source(s):
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/duke-racist-rager-141248540.html
http://www.dukechronicle.com/article/duke-kappa-sigma-party-ignites-firestorm-criticism
Thanks for the post Edmund!These types of scenarios make me think about how well higher education institutions are doing to promote respect, integrity, tolerance, and understanding of differences. While these types of parties may not be intended to offend anyone, I think they reflect students' lack of knowledge and lack of care. It got me thinking about "us" versus "them" and a mindset of "I am not a part of that group. I can do anything I want. It's not hurting me. I am not trying to offend anyone. If they have a problem with it then its their fault." Rather than seeing different groups of people as a unit attempting to work together.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post Edmund. I don't feel like this is pure unadulterated racism, just ignorance. It's stories like these that should motivate and empower us, as future Student Affairs/ Higher Education professionals to educate these students. These students need help, they need experiences that shape their mind and their understanding of other cultures. If I were the director of the Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at this institution, I would have an intentional conversation with the group as a whole and have them attend some kind of cultural awareness training or have the Asian American students speak to the group or write a letter about why this is offensive to their culture.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great learning opportunity for this group of students, and someone at Duke needs to ensure they are educated.
Thank you for your responses, Jordan and Suzi. Pure, unadulterated racism? maybe, maybe not. That will be left to the perspective of the individual(s) who follow this incident. An exercise in and of privilege, most certainly. This isn't the first greek organization on that campus to do something like this out of ignorance, and Duke certainly isn't the first campus in which an incident such as this has taken place.
ReplyDeleteI agree, that these students need experiences to expand their understanding of other cultures, however not at the onus of the group being mocked and marginalized. I also agree that higher ed professionals must be intentional in their efforts to promote and implement inclusivity. I don't know that cultural awareness training and written letters will be an optimal solution, I don't know. The student life/affairs office had a conversation with these student, yet the party still commenced. How do we as future higher ed professionals measure whether or not someone is genuinely culturally aware or sensitive?
I see this an issue of privilege and not being able to manage one's privilege relative to another. Im not quite sure that ignorance of one's own privilege is a sufficient rationale for incidents such as these.
Edmund,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. Because I work in the Fraternity & Sorority Affairs Office at the University of Illinois, I found this story to be very common even HERE on our campus. I constantly am having conversations with chapter presidents about inclusivity and intentional about discussing cultural awareness. They are quite aware of the University as well as our office's take on the issue and policies about themes of events--Yet they continue to happen.
Just a few years ago we had an incident of a sorority and fraternity pairing up for an event called "Tacos & Tequila." The groups dressed up inappropriately in sombreros and other stereotypical clothing. It did not take long for the public to hear about this event as well as the University. The story was broadcasted to the entire country. Our office worked with the chapters and handed sanctions to both organizations. See the story here: http://www.news.illinois.edu/news/06/1128sanctions.html
This was the statement that our Board of Fraternity Affairs and Board of Sorority Affairs had released about the issue:
“To say that members of the Board of [Fraternity Affairs or Sorority Affairs] are disappointed in the actions of your members does not do justice to the harm done to our fraternal community and to the larger University community of students, staff and faculty. The blatant insensitivity and stereotyping behavior exhibited is in direct conflict with the values of your [fraternity or sorority], the UIUC Greek community and the University community more broadly. We hope this plan of action will set your members and the community on a path of greater respect for others, with civility toward all, and lead to member education that is life-changing with respect to cultural appreciation and inclusiveness.”
I'm not sure this is an issue of ignorance. Looking at this from an administrators lens, we constantly educate and discuss cultural awareness. This continues to be a problem which we try to tackle.
Hey Lauren, thanks for joining in on the conversation. I see that we agree that this is not an issue of ignorance or that dismissing this behavior as ignorance is acceptable in this instance, so thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteI will also join you in observing this from an administrators lens with you, as my immediate past experience provided me the opportunity to oversee greek life in addition to other units under the umbrella of Student Affairs/Services. Conversations are absolutely wonderful tools to start with, however pointed efforts beyond conversations are necessary to undermine systemic issues related to privilege and power. That means being proactive rather than reactive in addressing matters such as these, not only promoting, but also creating safe environments for diversity and inclusion, etc...