Passionate and candid remarks on issues ranging from the recent Sigma Chi "Viva Mexico" party to general discrimination on campus highlighted a forum on racial issues Tuesday. The discussion, held at the White Lecture Hall, was sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.
Although Phi Beta Sigma president Jason Hendrickson, who moderated the forum, said he was disappointed by the turnout, active participation from those in attendance managed to keep discussion going for nearly an hour and 45 minutes.
Reacting to the "Viva Mexico" party held by Sigma Chi fraternity, sophomore Alejandro Torres Hernandez said that as the largest minority group in the United States, latinos are subject more than ever to discrimination. He expressed dissatisfaction over the difficulty in achieving equality even in an ideal community like Duke, and asked for help from the black community in combating racism.
Other students were unhappy over the University's decision not to take disciplinary action towards Sigma Chi.
Even more generally at Duke, students said when it came to acts of discrimination, they felt the administration was too lenient in its reactions.
"Vice President for Student Affairs] Larry Moneta is supposed to look out for the student body. We need to bring Larry Moneta around and ask him what he is going to do about this problem," said senior Derek Evans.
Tayo Famakinwa, a junior, felt that there had already been attempts at discussion, and that it was time for a different approach. "Actions speak louder than words," Famakinwa said. "Nobody's naive; we know what the problem is. Let's do something about it."
Later in the discussion, Alpha Tao Omega fraternity president Kyle Jasey said questions were raised about his fraternity's upcoming "Ghetto Fabulous" party, and wanted to know whether the party's name or content could come off as potentially offensive. Jasey said the party will have a freestyle contest, hip-hop music and clothing imitating "the 1980's rap scene," such as clock necklaces and gold chains.
Overwhelmingly, those in attendance felt "Ghetto Fabulous" had negative connotations and would be offensive.
"There's nothing fabulous about the Ghetto," said Grant Colon, a junior. Colon suggested that ATO should be more mindful in naming their party.
While most students' comments focused on the stereotypes befalling minorities, Ashanti Crawford, a senior, cautioned her peers against marginalizing their own culture.
"For society to be truly equal," she said, "people must look at both sides of the race issue. We have to be careful when we stereotype ourselves and others. We separate ourselves sometimes and that is part of the problem."
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