Let's review some of the stories of the past week. First, most of the Latino community was in an uproar following Sigma Chi's "Viva Mexico" party. Next, in support of the cause, a fellow Chronicle columnist attacked the Freeman Center for Jewish Life for it's "Jew-B-Q".
Further, Larry Moneta has "recommended" that fraternities restrict their parties to their own members. In other words--closed parties.
What do these events all have in common? They are evidence of the reality that this school has a long way to go before we can truly be diverse. Yes, I said it, the over-used D-word--a word used by some to denote a noble goal, and used by others as a way of getting attention. Okay. We'll take it slow, so you can all follow me.
First thing's first. When it comes down to it, I do believe the Sigma Chi's could have exercised better judgment. But can someone please tell me what is so wrong that the story warrants being on the Drudge Report? There is no denying that there are people who have crossed the border from Mexico into the United States, and that some of these people are not legal aliens in this country. If the non-citizen status of these Mexicans and Latinos is such a touchy subject with the likes of Mi Gente, then why did it take a creative party invite to spark that rage? Nothing else to complain about? What other horrible stereotypes were being portrayed? Nothing I can think off. If you had guys gardening around the quad, now that would be out of line. But Border Control? Give it up.
Larry Moneta, the guy we all love to hate, may have finally turned the corner. Even he realizes that it's not something that should or even deserves to be punished. This from the guy who tried to expel someone for calling a fellow student a "water buffalo."
Come to think of it, what is wrong with naming a mixer "South of the Border"? Exactly what negative connotations does that have? Mexico is still to the south of our border, right?
The point was made, and now it's time to move on. The real issue should be not the theme of the party, but who was actually in attendence. I want to know how many of the people who protested this week actually attended the party? I doubt very many. That's the real cultural problem here. That our parties are segregated, and it's our own damn fault.
On another subject, let's talk about this Jew-B-Q. Here's my e-mail--th14@duke.edu. I want to hear how many non Jewish people here have actually been to the Freeman Center. Not many. Just look at the financial woes of the building. No one uses it. And like the other cultural groups on campus, the Jews wanted to recruit freshman. So it held a gathering. Is the name really offensive? "Israelite Cookout" just doesn't have the same ring. Now, I had grandparents who went through the Holocaust. My grandfather's brother was on Schindler's List. And the last thing I thought of when I heard Jew-B-Q was "I'mma order my Semite medium rare!" That's like complaining about Mi Gente's name. Why does it have to be "My People"? Can't you throw a nos in there and include us all?
In cases of calling out offenses, we need to pick and choose our causes. I agree that some things are over the line, and that you need to stop certain things so that it doesn't grow into a bigger problem. But, complaining about this, well, that's what leads to "F the PC Police."
And of course, our good friend Larry. Closed frat parties? Why don't you just go the whole nine yards and have minorities serve as caddies? If you think Duke is segregated as it is, then closed parties would be the West Campus Country Club. Isn't that what we are trying to stop here? If diversity is the goal, then what we need are OPEN parties, and we need people who are open to meeting new people. To paraphrase Ali G, if anyone has a right to complain, it's those guys, you know, whose land we took, the ones who wear feathers and dance around the fire? Oh yea, Indians. How come you don't see any of them around? Only one I know was that dude in the village people, and even then he had to go around with a cop, a fireman and a dude from the Navy. People, Lighten Up!
Tal Hirshberg is a Trinity senior. His column appears every other Thursday.
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