In the Sept. 17 issue there was a front-page article, a letter to the editor and an editorial regarding Sigma Chi's "Viva Mexico" party. I am not a Sigma Chi, I am not a fratboy, I am not white and I am not nearly as uptight as my fellow Duke students seem to be. Why be so upset about this "Viva Mexico" party? Actual racism did not take place at this party and discrimination against Mexicans was neither intended nor implied by the party.
In her column, Bridget Newman suggested throwing alternate parties so that the "white frat guys" wouldn't feel excluded from the "non-PC fun." What if we did? What if around the time of a popular Irish holiday some frat threw a "Viva Ireland" party, complete with whiskey, drunk leprechauns, Riverdancing, red wigs, shamrocks and green clothing? With all those stereotypes, certainly such an event would get as much negative attention as this "Viva Mexico" party, right? Of course not, and rightly so. Why is there this discrepancy? Why is it okay to poke fun at some groups, yet "vile and racist" to do so to others? Why can't we all just laugh at each other? Fighting racism is one thing, but whining about people not understanding your culture fully is another thing entirely. Newman seems to somewhat jokingly plot out her suggestions for an "Everything's All White" party. But let's be honest: the presence of substances, talking about people you've "assaulted," the presence of people whose granddaddies gave a lot of money to the school, only dancing that involves rhythm free bouncing, and conversations being dominated by phrases like "whatever dude"? Who in their right mind would be offended if that party were thrown? That party happens all over the Duke community every weekend.
Levi Karnehm Trinity '04
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