Posted on 03/05/2006 4:56:22 AM PST by jmq
Posted on Sat, Mar. 04, 2006
Fraternity suspended after racially insensitive party
WARRENSBURG, Mo. - A fraternity at Central Missouri State University has been suspended for hosting a "racially insensitive" party around Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
A three-week university investigation found that the January event, called a "chicken and beer" party, at the Alpha Kappa Lambda's housing complex mocked the national King holiday, established to honor the slain civil rights leader.
According to an editorial in the CMSU student newspaper, the Muleskinner, participants were told to dress based on organizers' perceptions of how blacks dress. Partygoers arrived wearing doo-rags and baggy pants. They drank beer from 40-ounce bottles and ate fried chicken.
The fraternity's national headquarters suspended it on Thursday and was taking steps to cancel the chapter's charter, said Jeremy Slivinski, executive director of the national fraternity.
"We do find that the incident was racially insensitive," Slivinski said. "And the house is supposed to be alcohol-free. They violated a risk-management policy."
Suspension means that the fraternity will no longer be permitted to participate in campus events as a social organization and no longer has access to campus funds.
He said alumni of the CMSU chapter were "disappointed in the choices our men made and deeply sorry for any offense that might have been taken. We will not tolerate this kind of action by our undergraduates."
On Friday, university officials began moving students in the 31-member fraternity from their house into residence halls on campus. University officials were continuing an investigation and said there may be further disciplinary action against some students involved.
Walt Hicklin, interim vice president for student affairs, said the university promotes a "healthy multicultural environment."
University officials said that before the suspension, the fraternity had the right to apply for student activity funds but that no university money was used to pay for the party. Alpha Kappa Lambda has been on the CMSU campus for 50 years.
Sounds like a little of both. I was thinking if my child had been part of this. If I was paying his tution and he had taken part in this, he would be out of that frat regardless of what the school did.
Don't these University people have things to do? Like teach and learn?
What a stupid episode- all of it!
It appears that the party planners were remiss, doesn't it?
What happened to freedom of speech, oh I forgot only Farakan, Jackson and Hitlery Roddamn are eligible. The truth seems to twist a lot of liberal panties on campas it seems. That was not a parody go down town and take a good look, it was reality!
So would I, but I bet the university wouldn't be offended at all. They would probably call it a diversity exhibition or something.
The suspensions are in line, however, considering that alcohol wasn't allowed there.
Where was/is all the uproar about toga parties where they dress like ancient Italians were perceived and they eat peeled grapes?
On second thought, no, I wouldn't be offended.
Hmmmmmm, I believe theres was a " big Hip hop hit", a few years ago by the same title, although the artist ( term used loosely) escapes me. Nothing wrong here but life imitating so called art.
Blacks as White Chicks....funny, but I didn't see any picketing over these stereotypes.
I guess I'm way insensitive. While I find this stupid and juvenile, this is such an overreaction, except for breaking the no alcohol rule.
If they'd held a Homeschool Mom Party and everyone came in denim jumpers and minivans, would they have suspended the frat??? No, because it's accurate for a certain section of hs moms.
I think if people don't want others to ridicule them, they ought not to act in such a way that they seem ridiculous.
Ok, so my pet peeve is pants down around the knees. If they knew how many times my panty hose have sagged and I freaked out, they wouldn't do this so lightly!!! :D
Because that was Hollywood doing it, of course. If you're liberal you can do that kind of stuff.
Thye should have called it a "RAP Fashion" party..
The last time I looked, there were no laws on the books protecting an individual , or group from being offended.
bet you dollars to donuts if it was a mock "W" party the university would have sent out commendations and awards to the fraternity.
Or, Racial Appreciation Night.
Yeah right. Excuses, excuses.
We've lost our right to be stupid years ago.
I suspect they were mocking stereotypes and not the man. Dumb thing to do but what are frats for?
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