#RacistRager - Duke Kappa Sigma party ignites firestorm of criticism

[Gamma Xi Phi]

A Kappa Sigma theme party held Friday has drawn major backlash from the Asian community and others at the University.

http://www.dukechronicle.com/article...torm-criticism

http://cdn.dukechronicle.com/images/...e0938b7e89.jpg

Students are really fighting back on this, and socially conscious people all over social media are giving this story a signal boost:

http://angryasiangirlsunited.tumblr....irlsunited-was

#RacistRager

[exlurker]

Kappa Sigma suspends the chapter at Duke, as you might well imagine ...

All over the news . . .

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?se...cal&id=8982791
excerpt from ^^
:
”DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Duke University chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity has been suspended by its parent organization following a party that some have called racist.
Wilson Mitchell, the national executive director of Kappa Sigma, told ABC11 Wednesday all activities and events have been put on hold while the national organization determines the status of the Eta Prime chapter. . . . “

[Kevin]

Sure, what they did was racially insensitive and such, but the outrage seems a bit over the top.

[TKESunDevil]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Sure, what they did was racially insensitive and such, but the outrage seems a bit over the top.

Agreed. I read some of the comments and one of my favorites is "If you are not outraged...then you're a normal person.

I don't think that there would be a lot of outrage if a bunch of Asians were to dress in overalls and straw hats and throw a "White trash/hillbilly party".

I'm half Asian and I'm not offended by this.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by TKESunDevil

I don't think that there would be a lot of outrage if a bunch of Asians were to dress in overalls and straw hats and throw a "White trash/hillbilly party".

Of course, not, because it's okay to make fun of white trash and hillbillies, few of which you're likely to find among the student body at Duke anyway.

Seriously though, context matters. At Duke, this kind of party plays into every stereotype possible -- including those about Greeks. And I can see how the way the invitation was worded pushed it over the top for some people.

The reality is that if they didn't think they'd provoke this kind of reaction at Duke, they were seriously deluded.

[knight_shadow]

Sidebar: Is the name of the party "Racist Rager" (going from the hashtag)?

I'm not one to get offended by everything race-related, but if this group hosted the party with the intent of being racists, they can't backpedal and act like all the backlash is a shock.

[starang21]

the outrage is justified.

and i'm asian.

[Tulip86]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Sidebar: Is the name of the party "Racist Rager" (going from the hashtag)?

No it wasn't. It was Kappa Sigma Asian Prime (their chapter name is Eta Prime)


I do think the theme is very insensitive, and the wording in the email is outright stupid.
Outrage? No.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Sidebar: Is the name of the party "Racist Rager" (going from the hashtag)?

I'm not one to get offended by everything race-related, but if this group hosted the party with the intent of being racists, they can't backpedal and act like all the backlash is a shock.

I don't think so. I think that is what the flyers against the party were calling it. Also while I think that the emails went far beyond the line, I don't really understand why there was so much outrage over the theme. A couple of the pictures were pushing it, like the girl with the peace sign, but I don't see anything wrong with an Asian theme. It is a very different culture, which would be fun to dress up as every once in a while.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Tulip86

No it wasn't. It was Kappa Sigma Asian Prime (their chapter name is Eta Prime)

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

I don't think so. I think that is what the flyers against the party were calling it.

OK, makes sense. Thanks.

Still stupid as fuck, though.

[starang21]

because you're not dressing up to celebrate it, you're dressing up to mock it.

[Tulip86]

I don't think you dress up to mock it per se. I think it's stereotypical and in some cases insensitive, but not downright mocking.

The language used in the email is mockery, to me, putting pencils in your hear is not.

[starang21]

if it's stereotypical, then it's mocking.

[PKT4LIFE]

Kappa Sig has been officially suspended by their HQ as of today.

[Tulip86]

Originally Posted by starang21

if it's stereotypical, then it's mocking.

Not necessarily.

If I dress up like Frau Antje I'm dressed up in a stereotypical form. But I'm not mocking anything or anyone. If I wear a sari I'm dressed in something considered stereotypical of the Indian culture, but it's not worn to mock, but because I like how it looks. If I wear a dress inspired by a traditional Chinese dress (like the ones that were quite fashionable in the 90s) again, it's something considered stereotypical, but not mocking. My point is, the thought behind it, and the behavior accompanying it is what decides if it's mocking.

Originally Posted by PKT4LIFE

Kappa Sig has been officially suspended by their HQ as of today.

And I think they should be, that email was in very poor taste.