On and on it goes.
A group of Clemson University students--white students--threw a "gangsta" theme party the weekend prior to the Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday.
The party invited participants to dress and behave in a manner that could politely be described as a night of parody of African American racial stereotypes. Dress and behavior poked fun at blacks who were not present for the event.
A similar party took place at Tarleton State University here in Texas. Another convened at the University of Connecticut School of Law.
On each campus the events in question set off a backlash of disgust, disappointment and hurt feelings. In addition, on each campus formal talks and forums have been organized to discuss race, racism and the nature and current condition of America's racial psyche.
To a person the students involved in the parties claim they meant no harm or disrespect. And, above all, they denied any suggestion that racism was involved.
I must admit I have a hard time with that claim.
Further, it is the ease with which the group uses this sort of disclaimer as an easily accessible, default "fall back" position, when caught in an act of blatant racism, that continues to really bug, irritate and anger me. University students with, at a minimum, no more sensitivity than this is a phenomenon that I find preposterous.
We should not be fooled.
A group of Clemson University students--white students--threw a "gangsta" theme party the weekend prior to the Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday.
The party invited participants to dress and behave in a manner that could politely be described as a night of parody of African American racial stereotypes. Dress and behavior poked fun at blacks who were not present for the event.
A similar party took place at Tarleton State University here in Texas. Another convened at the University of Connecticut School of Law.
On each campus the events in question set off a backlash of disgust, disappointment and hurt feelings. In addition, on each campus formal talks and forums have been organized to discuss race, racism and the nature and current condition of America's racial psyche.
To a person the students involved in the parties claim they meant no harm or disrespect. And, above all, they denied any suggestion that racism was involved.
I must admit I have a hard time with that claim.
Further, it is the ease with which the group uses this sort of disclaimer as an easily accessible, default "fall back" position, when caught in an act of blatant racism, that continues to really bug, irritate and anger me. University students with, at a minimum, no more sensitivity than this is a phenomenon that I find preposterous.
We should not be fooled.
Racism and all that goes with it is very much alive and well in this nation.
Larry, here's an interesting article about race, education and the upcoming Dallas mayoral race:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dallasblog.com/rufus-shaw/2007/1/29/the-mayoral-education-problem.html
I haven't looked into the details of these parties, but on the surface I don't agree that these types of parties are racist in intent (though I can understand how they are percieved as such). I think kids who were born after the civil rights movement have a different perspective on race relations, not having observed the extremes of discrimination firsthand. I think these parties, like other theme parties, are about embracing a particular subculture (incidentaly one that is portrayed everyday on MTV without the same complaints). I think these types of parties should be understood more along the lines of "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" in regards to a particular subculture than as an attempt to negatively stereotype all African Americans.
ReplyDeletedmowen, thanks for your post and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI hear what you are saying and I understand that there is an entire social movement in which white youth are "informed" by gansta culture. I get that.
What I don't get is white kids dressing up and behaving in ways that make fun of others on the basis of terribly inaccurate and demeaning stereotypes--oversized rear ends, 40 ounce malt liquor cans taped on hands, etc, etc, etc. There is a difference in appreciating and embracing authentic cultural expressions and in playing out a hurtful parody as an acceptable party activity.
By the way, I am 57 years-old.