Blog | Was Clemson University gang frat party racist or just stupid? Clearly they didn’t see “Dear White People.”
Some super-wise frat leader at Clemson University had the neat idea to throw a gang themed party this past weekend.
Of course, once others heard about it, controversy erupted and charges of racial insensitivity and outright racism have been bandied about.
Maybe I’m just too old and boring to get worked up by such things, but it seems more tin-eared than racist.
Am I wrong?
It shows what we all should know any way, that the images on display at the party are the kind that are rolling around in too many of our minds, when it comes to how we view black people. And the reaction proves that applies not only to the white students who had the party, but the black students protesting.
Two questions:
Why would anyone think this kind of party was a great idea?
Why claim it is about racism unless you agree with the stereotype that all gang members are black or all black people are gang members?
University officials have to respond to such things, of course. Such events make it harder for minority students to feel truly welcome on campus. Black students make up about 6 percent of Clemson’s student body. That’s why it is important and needs to be addressed, no matter if you come down on the stupid or racist side.
But I’m going to save my anger for other things, such as the racial disparities that exist in the criminal justice and educational systems that cause many more problems than silly frat parties.
Here’s an idea for punishment for the frat members:
They should be forced to watch the movie “Dear White People,” which grew out of the creator’s disgust with the kind of racially-tinged theme party thrown by a Clemson frat this weekend, and have to write a paper about it.
That’ll learn ‘em.
This story was originally published December 8, 2014 at 11:19 AM with the headline "Blog | Was Clemson University gang frat party racist or just stupid? Clearly they didn’t see “Dear White People.”."