MLK party causes uproar on Texas campus

[deadparrot]

DALLAS - Authorities at Tarleton State University said they plan to investigate a Martin Luther King Jr. Day party that mocked black stereotypes by featuring fried chicken, malt liquor and faux gang apparel.

"I feel like there is no excuse for this type of ignorance," said Donald Ray Elder, president of the Stephenville school's chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Photographs posted on social networking Web site Facebook.com showed partygoers wearing Afro wigs and fake gold and silver teeth. One photo showed students "mocking how African-Americans do step shows," Elder said. In another picture, a student is dressed as Aunt Jemima and carries a gun.

"That upsets me," Elder said. "That's someone who knows nothing about Dr. King, because Dr. King was totally about nonviolence."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070125/ap_on_re_us/mlk_party

[marmar]

1. Pathetic....

When idiots do stuff like this, it's masking some kind of deep insecurity about their own inadequacies and their threatened status in society.

[Name removed]

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[sinkingfeeling]

3. I know why Texas is a 'red' state. Embarrassment.

[saigon68]

4. a student is dressed as Aunt Jemima and carries a gun.

I'll bet that was "Tastefully Done"

</SARCASM>

WHAT NO PHOTOS?

[CottonBear]

11. Here's Aunt Jemima:

Good lord, these students are horrible, awful racists. They have no shame. Just think: their parents and families probably are just as racist.

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

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[saigon68]

35. Hey that's a Nice "FOATY" (spelled forty) in the bag

Wow

[crikkett]

5. lord help anyone who throws a toga party at that school.

I'm just sayin'. There's bad taste, and then there's really overreacting to bad taste.

[LostinVA]

7. This isn't bad taste, it's blatant racism

And, against Title IX, and I'm also betting against university rules, too.

And, this response is NOT overreacting.

Jeebus.

[PittPoliSci]

13. what's title ix?

i thought it had to do with sports.

just so you know, i'm not saying that people are overreacting, cause i find the reaction appropriate.

[FredScuttle]

15. Here's the law in its entirety:

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

Although it's most often associated with college athletics, it covers all educational activities and discrimination complaints in all aspects of academic life.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_ix

[LostinVA]

16. Title IX has to do with discrimination in public education

Not just sports. It also protects teachers and staff from harassment by students.


TITLE IX: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

I've had classes on this. This situation covers this.

[PittPoliSci]

17. thanks!

thanks for clearing that up!

[LostinVA]

18. No problem -- many people think it just covers sports

[Susang]

26. Title IX deals with sexual discrimination

I'm having a hard time seeing how it applies in this situation. Perhaps you could explain? :shrug:

[Umbram]

33. I'd like to see the explaination too.

Even the if the party was sexist and not racist, I'd have to be convinced it would apply.

Methinks maybe someone should retake their class.

[tritsofme]

22. If the incident occurred in a private residence

outside of campus, it seems unlikely that this law would apply.

[Umbram]

23. Are you sure?

I didn't even get the idea that this was a Greek party.

If this was a purely private party, how would you argue that it is an "education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

Merely because the students receive federal financial aid? If that is so, do random acts or racism by any student receiving financial aid qualify as a violation of the title?

[LostinVA]

24. Yes, I'm sure

And, I didn't mention Federal financial aid. It's a public university.

[Umbram]

25. I have my doubts

Any racist action taken by students at a public university, regardless of whether the action is in ANY WAY related to the school is a violation of the title?

Answer that question. If the answer is yes, then I'll be amazed. If the answer is no, then why does it apply in this case?

Please actually answer my questions - I'd like to be educated as to how it applies here. Your "yes it does" is not helpful.

[Judi Lynn]

30. Would Title VI be useful for this? I haven't read it all the way through,

but it looks appropriate to me so far:

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/race394.html

[Umbram]

32. Why are people so persistent about going after the school???

Idiots and racists are at every institution. Did you find anything in the article that would make you believe the school is at fault here?

[0007]

65. If the school didn't step in to stop this nonsense then I think it's more

than appropriate

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. bad taste?

Good lord.

[Name removed]

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[Shakespeare]

42. No, there's long been a problem with white supremecist groups at the school.

I know, because I covered it as a newspaper reporter 20 years ago.

[crikkett]

58. Then I guess it's not an overreaction to come down on that party.

Thanks for the background.

[montieg]

76. I'm interested in your research. My wife and I went to Tarleton

in the 60's and two of my sons went in the 80's and 90's. I'm not aware of any "problem" outside of the occasional redneck cowboy (am I allowed to use that term even tho I live and ranch in west Texas). As far as white supremacist groups, I guess my family just didn't know what was going on. Can you steer me to some data on this?

[fishwax]

79. and then, of course, there are absurd comparisons to toga parties

:crazy:

[tchunter]

6. anyone else left wondering how these idiots got in to college in the first place

[Umbram]

27. Nope

Intelligence isn't a prerequisite to getting into college.

[Judi Lynn]

8. Here are their photos, posted at The Smoking Gun.....

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0125071mlk1.html

Who could be this desperate to get attention, and what would that attention be worth, after all?

[Name removed]

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[Amused Musings]

19. Normally

I would say I bet their parents are probably horrified that this is what they are paying tens of thousands of dollars for, but they might just be mad they were caught.

[LiberalFighter]

21. They posted evidence against themselves to be expelled

for underage drinking as well as possible violation of school code regarding such behavior.

[saigon68]

49. Nice Foaty

http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0315,hsu,43191,22.html

In the late 1980s the St. Ides Brewing Company took these lessons to heart and hired a team of up-and-coming artists to write and produce one-minute radio and TV spots promoting malt liquor—the best of which have now been collected by the mysterious DJ Drank. Yo-Yo and Ice Cube take a tepid step toward gender equality on the she's-gotta-have-it-too theme "Femalt Liquor," while Cube elsewhere suggests, "Get your girl in the mood quicker/Get your jimmy thicker/With St. Ides malt liquor." The disc also features spots with Snoop Dogg, EPMD, and the Geto Boys.


http://www.sandboxautomatic.com/abstract/djdrank.html

[classysassy]

14. The Bush boys

are they ready for action in Iraq?We can't go,those black guys took up all the slots.

[RamboLiberal]

20. Bet they are all Republicans

Wonder how many belong to Young Republicans on the campus. And I bet they are all chickenhawks as well. Too bad there isn't a Twilight Zone that could turn these young crackers black and send them to Selma Alabama around 1964!

[MikeNearMcChord]

39. Not to mention Yellow Elephants, support the war while staying home.

I would have them shipped off to Anbar Province if it was up to me.

[underpants]

28. LOL their team nicknames are the Texans and the..... wait for it.... the TexAnns

http://www.tarletonsports.com/

[montieg]

77. Yes ma'am--or sir. And we're damned proud of it.

[otherlander]

31. The sad thing is...

a lot of the kids at my school, given then chance, probably would have joined them. :shakes head: Hateful idiots...

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

34. Ignorance

knows no age, boundary or intellect level.............

[Name removed]

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[Bridget Burke]

37. Heh. I'd never heard of the school, so I looked it up....

Here's a test: Guess which phrase will soon disappear from the Wikipedia entry!

John Tarleton Spirit Award, originated in 1988, and has since become the most highly-coveted award at TSU, and is given to up to twelve students annually at the Leadership and Service Awards Banquet. Recipients are chosen based on campus involvement through organizations, special projects, racist parties, and activities that contribute to the overall growth of the individual.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarleton_State_University

Also, nowhere else in the article does the abbreviation "TSU" appear. Generally, TSU means Texas Southern University a "historically black" school here in Houston. Barbara Jordan & Micky Leland were alumni. The late artist John Biggers headed the art department at TSU. (The TSU in Houston, that is.)

www.biggers.coe.uh.edu/index.html

[Manifestor_of_Light]

51. I bet Sissy Farenthold is not pleased.

Sissy Farenthold, who ran for Governor of Texas in 1972, and almost won, is the granddaughter of John Tarleton, who the school was named after. She's a lawyer. Her real name is Frances Tarleton Farenthold.

Sissy may be retired now, but she was a labor lawyer and practiced law with Chris Dixie.

[morgan2]

38. they're kids screwing around

Its a bit tasteless, but come on. They're not hurting anyone, just being stupid kids.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

40. Sure.

It's like those good old boys dressin' up in robes and having christian bonfire. What's the big deal?

[lynne]

41. My thoughts exactly -

- may the first person who never did anything thoughtless, inappropriate and stupid when they were young raise their hands.

[Shakespeare]

43. Sorry, but you're wrong.

This a problem that goes WAY back at Tarleton State. See my other posts on this thread.

[llmart]

44. They're at least 18......

so not "kids". Let them enlist and ship them off asap. I guarantee you their parents are where they learned this behavior.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

45. No.

They're racist little college-aged shits, and deserve every condemnation they get.

"A bit tasteless?" :eyes:

[ariesgem]

47. Thank you!

I cannot believe there are people in this forum that are minimizing racist behavior to "a bit tasteless". :grr:

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

57. Looks like there's more defenders of these racist shits on this thread now.

Lovely, huh?

[superconnected]

46. I think if we've learned one thing from the bush administration

it's that propaganda works. Even stupid propaganda.

[fleabert]

53. you can't be serious.

stupid racist kids...

[Towelie]

48. Yet when Dave Chappelle mocks the stereotypical white person on his show...

in front of millions of viewers, it's funny. Lighten up people.

[Shakespeare]

50. That's completely different.

And if you don't understand HOW that's completely different, then you understand nothing about race, bigotry and power.

[Towelie]

52. Like I said, lighten up

But then again, why don't you explain it? I would enjoy reading your insight into why it's different.

[fleabert]

59. If you would like to read something about it,

read 'why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria'
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Sitting-Together-Cafeteria-Conversations/dp/0465091296

and we can discuss that.

It's totally different.

[oasis]

54. "Stereotypical white person"? Does anyone you know fit that description?

[wageslave71]

56. I agree

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

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[wageslave71]

62. I'll tell you what makes the difference

since someone apparently thinks I'm a sockpuppet for merely agreeing with you.

The difference is that most white people don't give a shit about having Dave Chappelle's approval or respect. Of course, you know Chappelle's not alone. Someone asked about the stereotypical white. Well, you know, no rhythm, can't play basketball or dance, small dick, walks with his ass all tightened up. I have heard all of this from blacks. Now, if I start rattling off black stereotypes, how many will be offended? Apparently, a lot would.

About these college students, its a shame their parents didn't teach them any better, but they have a right to express their opinions just like the rest of us. The best part of it is that we all have the right to ignore them. It amazes me that some people demand their right to this and that while contending that others should be denied those same rights. Anyone who does that is a hypocrite.

[FyurFly]

66. I agree 100% n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

67. Sure, they have a right.

A right to be racist.

These rubes = racist.

Dave Chapelle = not a racist.

This ain't rocket science.

[wageslave71]

68. So what's the point?

There's still racist people in the US? Or do you think they should get the wrath of the school administration or a DA? Do you think the school's responsible?

What's the point other than, "look, there's some racist people?"

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

69. What's the point...

of you telling people to "lighten up" over blatant bigotry?

[wageslave71]

70. Answer the question

Exactly what do you think should be done about it? If you think anything other than dismiss it as blatant ignoance, then you're a part of the problem.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

71. Done with it?

They should be humiliated and shunned.

"If you think anything other than dismiss it as blatant ignoance, then you're a part of the problem."

If you look the other way over racism, then you're a part of the problem.

[wageslave71]

72. By whom? You and I?

Would they notice? Their parents aren't going to, they're probably to blame. The school should shun kids who have unpopular opinions? Then how many conservative schools in this country would have a field day with that precedent.

I'm going to cut to the chase, because I've about dedicated all the time I will to this. I believe most white people would be quick to agree that it is inconsistent to hold the position that you have stated, that a minority making fun of white stereotypes is A-OK, but vice versa = racism. Now, you can argue all you want, but if you're concerned about white people's perceptions of minorities (and basically that's at the heart of racism), then you have to consider how any action taken may be perceived.

You raise all the hell you want to over this. When you're scratching your head, wondering why it didn't play out like you expected, remember I told you so. And don't think any argument is going to change people's minds. You haven't persuaded me, and I'm about as least racist as any audience you will find.

Best of luck!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

73. By everyone.

"You haven't persuaded me, and I'm about as least racist as any audience you will find."

Uh huh.

[wageslave71]

74. That's a good example...

of how to take someone who is generally sympathetic with your values and turning them against you. And surely you don't think insinuating that I'm a racist really matters to me. I thought you could infer from my prior posts that ridiculous opinions are easy for me to ignore. You could learn a lesson from just that.

By all means, go ahead and have the last word. I know you wouldn't be able to sleep tonight otherwise.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

75. ...

"And surely you don't think insinuating that I'm a racist really matters to me."

Of course not.

"By all means, go ahead and have the last word. I know you wouldn't be able to sleep tonight otherwise."

Oh, I'm not the one with the guilty conscience.

[killbotfactory]

55. They're just upset that black people get all the breaks.

Oh wait, no, they're just racist assholes.

[Strelnikov_]

61. IMHO, a direct result of the GOP Reich Propaganda Bureau

Oxyrush and his "Halfrican" "Yuts" (from the Jocelyn Elders era), Hannity, Savage etc. etc.

The propaganda, heard everywhere, instills in the weak minded and impressionable the idea that this sort of racism is not only acceptable, but unimpeachable, a simple expression of their perceived relegation to the status of second class citizens.

It is called hate radio for a reason.

It is the propaganda mouthpiece of the GOP for a reason.

[krabigirl]

63. This is so sick, and appalling that this would occur in 2007.

[devilgrrl]

64. What century is this?

I can't shit like this still happens... unfuckingreal! :nuke:

[montieg]

78. As repugnant as this stupid college (scuse me, i repeat myself) crap

is, I remind everyone that a similar party occurred at the University of Texas several months ago. I may be wrong, but I don't remember such an uproar on DU then. Is this another form of discrimination? To ridicule the small-town hicks and rubes, and give the urban rich kids a pass?

Flame on.

[Heidi]

80. Locking.

Flamefest.

Heidi,
DU Moderator