Dartmouth fraternity Alpha Delta is under close watch after having thrown a “Bloods and Crips” party for Tri-Delt. The invitation read: “Midnight. Bloods and Crips Party. (choose wisely),” but naturally, things blew up from there. After catching wind of the event, the administration scrutinized the organization for having thrown a “racialized” party. Who’s surprised? As the theme would call for, it turned into a “ghetto” party, because according to Dartmouth, people spoke and dressed in a “racialized” manner.
I ask you, Dartmouth administration, who said that “ghetto” was synonymous with any particular race? Sure, the party’s 200+ attendees, members of Alpha Delta and Delta Delta Delta, were dressed “ghetto,” because let’s face it, gangs are located in the ghetto, but WHO said that that was associated with a race? Who said it, Dartmouth? The Greek organizations? No? Oh, you did. Who’s racist now? Gotcha. This is an issue of classism, so claiming it’s an issue of racism, because YOU associate a race with a class, is racist in itself. AM I RIGHT OR AM I RIGHT?
Bloods and Crips are primarily (but not exclusively!) African American gangs, of course, which does take away from my point a little, but regardless, partygoers were stereotyping people in gangs, not African Americans as a whole. Semantics, I suppose. Alpha Delta issued an apology letter:
Alpha Delta hosted a “Bloods and Crips Party” on the night of Friday, July 26th. The idea was never meant to be derogatory to any group, and was intended to introduce a costume theme to the party. While there was never any ill intent in the party’s theme, the brothers of Alpha Delta now realize that it was insensitive and thoughtless to make light of a very serious issue that affects many people nationwide, particularly young people. Gang violence is obviously an incredibly serious problem across America, and while we as a house failed to preemptively recognize the offensive nature of the party’s theme, the gravity of our oversight is now apparent to us …
The conversation gave us a greater understanding of the pain gang violence causes and how personal it is for so many people here at Dartmouth, and in the country at large. We have gained a greater appreciation for the very real effect gang violence has on members of the Dartmouth community, and the conversation has opened our eyes to a subject which we had never before fully comprehended …
PAUSE. I’m sure many ivy league students are emotionally affected by gang violence, as so many of them likely grew up with it in their pasts. Nice passive aggressive power move, AD.
The conversation gave us a greater understanding of the pain gang violence causes and how personal it is for so many people here at Dartmouth, and in the country at large. We have gained a greater appreciation for the very real effect gang violence has on members of the Dartmouth community, and the conversation has opened our eyes to a subject which we had never before fully comprehended …
This was clearly an instance of seriously bad judgment on our part, but we believe it will serve as an educational experience that will ultimately lead to better judgment in the future. As we grow and learn, we are becoming more self-critical about our actions and how they affect others around us.
The term “ghetto party” was never used, and was coined by administrators after the party took place. This is a patently false term that was attributed after the fact in emails within the administration.
Yes. Show them who’s boss. I mean, technically, they’re boss, but I appreciate you pointing out that they were the real assholes here. It doesn’t seem that the fraternity is in much trouble, but they’ve elected to amend the strategy they use to decide upon themes for parties (which I’m sure had previously consisted of nothing other than “How do we tell the girls to show up half naked without directly telling them to show up half naked?”), and to sponsor programs examining stereotypes in the upcoming school year.
*Sigh*
I long for the days I can wear gold chains and a lycra cut-out dress to a theme party in peace.
[via Bussiness Insider]
Image via Rap Genius
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Veronica Ruckh
Veronica (@VeronicaRuckh) is the Director of Total Sorority Move for Grandex, Inc. After having spent her undergraduate years drinking $4 double LITs on a patio and drunk texting away potential suitors, she managed to graduate with an impressive GPA and an unimpressive engagement ring -- so unimpressive, in fact, some might say it's not there at all. Veronica has since been fulfilling her duties as "America's big," a title she gave to herself with the help of her giant ego. She has recently switched from vodka to wine on weekdays. Email her at veronica@grandex.co
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