Penn State sorority put on probation over Mexican-themed party

[pstokely]

Source: LA Times

A photograph of Penn State sorority members donning sombreros and ponchos has landed the school’s Chi Omega chapter on probation.

In the picture, some of the women have fake mustaches festooned to their lips, and one woman is holding a sign that reads: “Will mow lawn for weed + beer.”

"I am disappointed in the choices made by our Nu Gamma Chapter members and we regret any pain caused," Chi Omega's national president, Letitia Fulkerson, said in a statement. "We are taking this situation very seriously. Chi Omega does not condone behavior that violates our organization's policy on human dignity."

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-penn-state-sorority-racist-photo-20121206,0,2674057.story

[Scabby57]

1. Next Will Be Double Secret Probation

[jtuck004]

2. Were they all from the same town, or might this indicate that racism is all around us?

Someone asked me to substantiate once that racism pervades our lives, and I was so flabbergasted that they cannot see all the examples around us I simply quit responding.

To me that's like not believing in gravity while your feet are on the ground.

Further, I don't know how to tell if they are being willfully blind or willfully ignorant, a non-questioning participant in privilege, nor am I sure I care. Given the lack of change a discussion would bring vs the investment in energy and time it would suck up, the ROI might not pencil out.

My wife tells me I am too impatient with others. I think it's just that I expect more.

And I tire of petty tyrants and the people who enable them.

[Hekate]

3. Glad to hear there's some grownups involved

Stupid little girls.

[Turbineguy]

4. My regards to

Dean Wurmer.

[Earth_First]

5. Revoke the charter.

Seriously.

It sounds like stupidity runs rampant on the campus at Penn State, and continues to flourish.

Revoke the Chi Omega charter for a period of 5 years.

No more racist, classist parties for these "women".

Maybe they'll have more time to focus on academics, and less time to focus on their next facepalm theme party.

[obamanut2012]

10. seriously

[DonCoquixote]

6. We all know

That these little Belles of the Ball will be thinking they are the victims. Hopefully they will have to answer to a nice Latina boss when they leave college, the sort that did not have sorority connections to invoke.

[Hippo_Tron]

7. Should I be ashamed to admit I attended such a gathering in college?

It actually wasn't Mexican themed per-se. It was "Chile" themed, since the person hosting it was going to study abroad there. But same thing... sombreros, mustaches, and margaritas. Basically, all of the things that comes to mind when ignorant white people think about Latin America. Nobody had a sign that said "Will mow lawn for weed + beer" or any signs for that matter.

So yes, these types of gatherings do re-enforce stereotypes. On the other hand, so does just about every single Tex-Mex restaurant in the country.

[muntrv]

8. I hope these ladies end up working for a Mexican American woman. That would be justice.

[obamanut2012]

9. I figured they would do this

I am betting PSU kicks out their chapter. Too embarrassing.