A Latino student organization has expressed concern regarding the theme of a mixer between two greek organizations.
Mi Gente requested in a letter dated Oct. 26 that Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and Pi Beta Phi sorority change the theme of their annual "South of the Border" party, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29, citing the groups' unnecessary use of derogatory stereotypes.
Mi Gente's co-coordinators, Trinity senior Frank Kardonski and Trinity junior Roberto Lopez, called such parties "blatantly ignorant and offensive."
Both greek organizations said they had only good intentions in throwing the theme party.
"Our intention was never to offend anyone," said Trinity senior Jenny Pocalyko, Pi Beta Phi President. "Nobody ever questioned [the theme] before."
In the letter it sent to the greek organizations, Mi Gente questioned the organizations' reasoning and intentions for throwing a party with this type of theme.
"Is the objective of your gathering to educate your brothers and sisters," Mi Gente asked in the letter, "or rather, is it to revel in narrow and shortsighted views of the Mexican culture--to drink tequila, wear sombreros, wear ponchos, and shout gritos?"
Both Pocalyko and engineering senior Bob Waldner, president of SAE, said they were not contacted enough in advance to change this weekend's party.
Although Lopez said he understands that the letter was short notice, he said there is still time to change the theme.
"They can still change the theme and just make it a margarita mixer instead of `South of the Border,"' Lopez said. "It is such an easy transition."
While Pocalyko said she thinks her sorority would be willing to change the theme in the future, Waldner said he would like to opportunity to talk with Mi Gente and discuss their concerns.
"I don't believe the party is promoting racial stereotypes," Waldner said. "It's the same as a St. Patrick's Day party or an Oktoberfest."
According to the letter, these types of parties ignore the cultures of other Latin American and Caribbean countries, assuming Mexico is the only country "south of the border."
Mi Gente's leaders also asked in the letter if the same regard would be taken if the theme centered around a different culture.
"To provide an analogy, would you consider having a China or Harlem party, presenting typical stereotypes of their respective cultures?" the letter asked.
"South of the border" parties have been held at the University by other groups in the past without protest from campus organizations.
"Ever since Mi Gente came onto the scene three years ago, there has been a decrease in the number of these parties from what I know," Lopez said. "[Mi Gente] is attempting to grapple with these kinds of issues and bring them to the forefront."
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.