Letter to the editor
Posted February 19, 2013 at 7:35 pm in Letters to the Editor, Opinion
In regard to Pi Kappa Phi’s “Phi-esta”
I am proud of who I am. I am Catholic, liberal and sometimes a little outspoken. This is one of those times. I am a Trojan through and through, but first, I am a woman of Mexican-American descent.
A couple weeks ago, the students of the Duke Asian Student Alliance held a protest against a “racist rager” that took place on the Duke University campus. This protest, with over 500 people in attendance, received national recognition in the media. These students banded together to protest a fraternity party in which other students dressed as different Asian stereotypes, openly mocking Asian culture with costumes, words and hand gestures. Shockingly, the Asian students of the campus took offense.
Now, only two weeks later, a fraternity at USC is throwing its very own “racist rager.” The brothers of Pi Kappa Phi are holding a “phi-esta.” That in itself does not seem too concerning, but when accompanied by a blatantly racist photo and a statement saying that partygoers should bring their “sombreros and accentos to a night of classy fun,” the mockery starts to peek through. The description then goes on to clear up any confusion about what to wear by encouraging viewers to look to the photo depicting two shirtless Mexican men in sombreros for inspiration.
I love a fiesta and a good margarita as much as the next girl, but not when it is just an excuse to make racist jokes and poke fun at a different culture. There is a big difference between celebrating a culture and mocking it.
A few hours after the event was posted, the description was edited to include “what not to expect”: “border patrol, pickpockets, those kids selling you chicle gum, [and] Montezuma’s Revenge.” Classy, indeed.
Is this what Mexican culture has been reduced to? An entire country, an entire people, an entire tradition is recognized solely by negative stereotypes. Is it not possible to hold a party without the predictably offensive costumes and mocking accents? Will it be less of a good time if guests refrain from obvious racism? I highly doubt it.
It is offensive that race is so easily used as a party theme. This is not the first “fiesta” and I am sure that it will not be the last, but I’m not waiting for the party to be over before I speak up.
I’m not waiting for the pictures of drawn-on mustaches, illegal immigrants and gardeners to make the rounds on Facebook. I’m not waiting for my heritage to be ridiculed before I start my protest.
This is my protest. This is me speaking up for what I believe in. This is me taking a stand.
Though I find this event to be utterly disrespectful, I mostly just find it disappointing. I refuse to believe that other students on the USC campus — other members of the Trojan family — can be so ignorant and reckless. We live in Southern California with one of the most ethnically diverse campuses in the country, yet we still face situations like these.
If you read this and think I am overreacting, then I am sorry for you. I am sorry that you do not understand.
I am Mexican and proud, and I very much take offense.
Melissa Morales
Junior, Political Science
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This article is tagged: duke asian student alliance, duke university, mexican, phi-esta, pi kappa phi, racism
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Everyone is entitled to their opinions and insults.
What I find funny is that fact that Melissa Morales isn’t actually from or holds residency in Mexico.. She probably doesn’t even have a Mexican passport.
So, coming from an actual Mexican, I find it more offensive that someone like Melissa who isn’t even from Mexico, is using cultural sensitivity to get her article in the spotlight.
Don’t get me wrong, ethnicity is ethnicity and I am not degrading her as a Mexican for not being from Mexico. The stereotypes highlighted however, directly impact Mexicans from Mexico. So for a person who has never had to confront these stereotypes in Mexico, or its insulting to Mexicans from Mexico, that they would try and take advantage of the tension with Mexico and America in order to solidify her article’s credibility.
As a Mexican who resides in a border-town…”If you read this and think I am overreacting, then I am sorry for you. I am sorry that you do not understand.” You are overreacting, I feel sorry for you that you have to use your minority complex(which at this point is debatable since your from pasadena, NOT MEXICO) to get your 15 minutes of fame, I feel sorry for you that you do not understand satire.
Such a ridiculous overreaction. Where was this girl when there was a “Delts of Hazzard” that encouraged party goers to dress up as “white trash” and “rednecks” for the night? Seems as though she is a bit selective in her protests.
More importantly, to insinuate that this was intended to be anything more than a light-hearted themed party is laughable.
probably at delta of hazard… after all, she is in gphi
Oh come on Melissa stop stirring the pot. The Pi Kapp fraternity clearly had no intention of insulting or demeaning the Mexican race. They were putting on a Mexican themed party and listed a few things most Americans tend to associate Mexico with (sombreros, mariachi, border patrol). I don’t see the Mexican community crying foul on Cinco de Mayo when Americans are having the exact same themed parties (sombreros, tequila, drawn on mustaches). I also doubt you have felt this way after Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the past.
While Pi Kapp’s event description was insensitive to say the least, labeling the party a “racist rager” is stirring the pot. I don’t see anyway the fraternity could be called racist (usually defined as a hate for another race or believing one race is superior to another). They were simply playing with the stereotypes commonly associated with Mexico.
Throwing the term “racist” around in modern America is extremely provocative and is probably what has gotten this article so much attention. However, in the future you should consider the power and effect of using such a word before you attack an entire fraternity and college’s character.
This entire thread is so disappointing.
I have never been so, so disappointed with the Greek system.
First of all, all of these comments
1) supporting the removal of this post
2) hating on the Gamma Phi sorority (who didn’t even bring themselves into, was dragged into a terrible analogy by Drew from Pi Kapp – they merely defended themselves)
3) commenting that if you are ugly or a GDI or a low tier organization you don’t deserve an opinion
all solidifies the fact that the Greek system believes they are entitled. They are entitled organizations of students who pay thousands of dollars more than the non-Greek students for “programming” (aka. mixers, date dashes, “philanthropies”, registers, thursday night parties, a frat house) hence they deserve to rise above criticism.
I may not agree with what Melissa has done, but she has a right to point out what she does not agree with.
I also agree that the fraternities and sororities of USC have a right to defend themselves. But with logical arguments. I think that if you offend someone, albeit unintentionally, the best thing to do for you and your reputation is to apologize and explain yourself – not be defensive and inflammatory in return.
Please do not defend yourself by saying you are trying to be satirical or that other fraternities throw similar parties or that the fact that “I’m also Hispanic and I have no problem with it.”
That does not change the fact of the matter that she was offended.
Pi Kapp, instead of flaming her and coming up with excuses, please contact her personally and resolve this issue. The people you’re allowing to post on your behalf is definitely doing worse for your reputation than Melissa’s commentary
What is truly disappointing is that you let your privilege and upbringing blind you to the truth. Contact her? Talk about it? There is no time for talking. Now is a time of action. Growing up white and rich makes you think you can always talk your way out of everything.
I’m actually Asian. And I’m on a full scholarship. My family are all immigrants. I’m not quite sure what your argument is saying.
I’m confused… I feel like we agree with each other. I think that the best way to resolve this in the best way for everyone involved is to talk about it. Open discussion and communication is powerful.
What exactly do you mean “Now is a time for action…”
Please clarify what you’re trying to say
As a Trojan from the Class of 2011, this unfortunate revelation from the row is deeply embarrassing. I love a good rager as much as the next bro, but demeaning an entire culture like this is completely uncool and backwards. It further propagates the notion – true or untrue – that the Greek system is little more than a bunch of Good Ole Boys.
I believe you, Melissa, should have put much more thought into this article. Do you realize the potential harm you’ve brought to this fraternity, your own sorority and the USC row in general? I have a feeling the Gamma Phi social calendar will be shrinking… How are frats supposed to put a mixer together without some sort of theme that could potentially be considered racist? How about Sigma Chis around the world where every room was themed as a different stereotype? Are you going to consider their American Pi Kapp racist towards Americans?
Gamma Phi social calendar shrinking? hahaha, its already been shrunked.
Look at this mess. All of you are Trojans and unless I’m mistaken, we are called the Trojan family for a reason. Here is a member of that family expressing how she feels about how her culture and heritage has been misrepresented and all some of you can do is argue with her emotions. As much as you say, in an attempt to defend yourself and your organization against the information published, the simple fact remains that Pi Kappa Phi had some descriptions on the event that were in bad taste. No amount of arguing is going to change that. I don’t know how many of you have ever legitimately experienced racism and prejudice in your lives but for some it is a daily thing and USC is supposed to be a place where that stuff doesn’t happen. If the party is a celebration for Cinco de Mayo, as some claim, then change up the description to show some more respect to the culture as a whole. Easy fix. This isn’t a CEOs and Office Hos theme where you are supposed to make crude descriptions and muck up the idea, this is a celebration, according to some of the bros that have posted, so make it into a positive one.
I know that the brothers of Pi Kappa Phi are intelligent Trojan men and it’s up to them to turn the negative into a positive by revamping the event image and understanding that it’s possible to offend even when the offense was unintentional. This doesn’t make them racist or insensitive it makes them uninformed and if no one is willing to step up and communicate then they also allowed the situation to occur.
I respect your opinion and your statements Melissa but I hope that in the future you take the time to educate your fellow Trojans and give them a legitimate chance to change things before making anyone into a villain. If you can express yourselves to the entire USC community, why did you not express yourself directly to the people that you took offense with? Open communication and mutual understanding is always better than image smearing and accusations.
Instead of conflict, this could have been an opportunity to bridge gaps between Trojan family members and show some much needed love and understanding.
Are you suggestion they make sure to invite the gardener and everything will be alright?
Then why are you arguing??? Pi Kapp please stop your self-promotion and trolling.
To everyone who is writing critical comments, I hope you realize that you can be proud of being in a fraternity or being part of the Greek system while also being critical of some of its activities and being open to hearing criticisms. Actually, it should make you more proud to see that people within your system are open-minded, critical thinkers, because often the Greek system is (maybe unfairly) stereotyped as close-minded and sheep-like.
To the author, thank you for writing this article. Don’t listen to the hate in the comments section. What you did by writing this was brave and admirable.
The most tiresome stage of these controversies is the part where the offending group or individuals tries to turn it around like they’re the ones being persecuted. The event description was clearly insensitive. The only way you would not think that it was is if you’re part of an in group which has never experienced broad insensitivity toward your identity. As a white guy, I’ve never been discriminated against based on my skin color at USC, but as a gay man, I have faced insensitivity based on my sexual orientation. My point is, even if you are of the particular out group that is being made fun of, you do not get to declare that the person who has raised concerns about conduct is over reacting. Personally I would not have written to the DT if another fraternity choose to have a fag night and drink cocktails and “dress gay” as one memorably did my freshman year, but Melissa’s choice to air her concerns is valid. She didn’t call for the fraternity to be shut down, or even for the party to be canceled. She merely pointed out that the rhetoric coming from the fraternity was offensive to her. The defensive posturing of several men claiming to be from the frat on this board seems to me to be an unfortunate fight or flight reaction. Hiding behind the semantic argument that Mexican is not a race is just a straw man argument. Being Mexican identified in this country means dealing with many of the stereotypes in the party’s description during your life. I don’t care if you have the party, I don’t particularly care if it stays Mexican themed, just own up to the fact you made comments that could reasonably be considered insensitive, where a wide audience could view them. Apologize to the people who were offended and get on with you’re lives. The apology will cost you nothing and might go a long way to preventing this from turning into a much bigger deal than it has to be.
I can automatically see what’s wrong with the party, but I find it strange that members of the fraternity can’t or aren’t even attempting to empathize. Moreover, I’m concerned that minority students are essentially bashing these organizations instead of pushing for a healthy dialogue about why this is “hurtful” and seeking some reasonable behavior changes…
I think we as minorities tend to take it for granted that the vast majority of those who don’t identify as minorities have next to no idea of what is culturally sensitive and why it’s culturally sensitive. We also don’t give them an equal footing to express their perspectives outside of defending themselves from being attacked in media as “racist”. (Even though I don’t think Melissa says anything about the people being racist but rather that what they are doing has racist connotations)
It sucks but it’s our job as those who are “sensitive” to these issues to educate others that don’t see this, I think, reasonable perspective. Regardless, it’s probably what has to happen if you want people to actually treat others respectfully…
Emanuel Powell
2012 Grad
More minorities = lower tier.
Melissa,
You need not be so offended here. Phi Kappa Phi from what I understand is a lower tier house and very few if any would have attended this Mexican themed party. You have done nothing but bring attention and publicity to this fraternity and likely this party will have move attendees as a result. Sometimes it is best to keep things like this to yourself. Likely as you mature, you will learn this as a valuable life lesson.
Best of Luck!
Truly Sad Melissa,
I just Googled “USC Phi Kap…” to learn more about them and Google auto-populated the words “Racism and Racist” and linked to this article. Melissa, you may have permanently defamed these boys with your article. I spoke with my son who’s in another fraternity earlier this morning and he said Phi Kap may have been on the rise on the row. Still solidly lower tier but rising with a recent larger pledge class. I’m not sure how this other commenter came up with middle tier.
You likely owe them an apology!
What I find funny about this letter and all the responses is that the houses in question here are totally irrelevent. Gamma Phi is is in the lower tier of sororities. Pi Kapp is lower middle tier at best with fraternities. Both of these houses try so hard to be relevent, but just aren’t. I smell a lot of self promotion going on on this board. No one cares about your Piestas and Italian all you can eat buffet fundraisers.
Let me start by saying I am big fan of the Mexican culture. I love Taco Bell, Del Taco, Chipotle and soccer. I further believe salsa is by far the best condiments created to date. The Mexican people are some of the kindest and warm hearted people on the planet. Melissa, you are just plain wrong and your article does nothing to promote Mexican culture or bring any light to this situation. How did a real Mexican get a name like Melissa? Some how I doubt your parents, pushing one of those bacon-wrap hotdog carts after the SC home games (BTW: Delicious!) gave you a name like Melissa. Far too “white-bread” of name for a proper Mexican girl. Do you even care that your people have stolen the American hotdog, wrapped it with bacon and claimed it as there own? I do! I want our uniquely American food back! I’m mad and disgusted your people have stolen our hotdog and you need to change your name. Once you have corrected this, I am happy to take you seriously.
Where is the best place get a good sombrero and a welfare check? I want to look totally authentic.