Letters to the editor: Reactions to 'south of the border' party
Click here to read the original story, "Theme party provokes outrage."
An end to theme parties
To the Editor:
In reference to last issue's editorial, "Fighting ignorance through diversity," I commend The Santa Clara for its powerful and clear denunciation of the hateful theme parties on campus a few weeks ago. I am proud that our university newspaper was not afraid to call these racist and xenophobic actions exactly what they are -- "hurtful, offensive, and wrong." I also applaud the MCC and the entire student body for mobilizing a silent march to stand in solidarity for a campus that not only respects but celebrates diversity.
Just last month, we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. He envisioned a society in which everyone is judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Let us not forget his dream. In fact, almost 40 years after his death, it should no longer be a dream -- we must make it a reality.
The ignorance displayed at the hateful theme parties contributed to our long national nightmare of racism, not to Dr. King's dream. Do not dismiss the reaction to these racist theme parties as political correctness gone haywire or "much ado about nothing."
The vicious racial stereotypes displayed at the party are part of a very real historical pattern of racism and discrimination in the U.S. Let us not forget that African-American slaves once tilled Southern plantations. Let us not forget that Asian immigrants were once blocked from immigrating to the U.S. through the Chinese Exclusion Act. Let us not forget that minstrel shows with actors in blackface were once commonplace American entertainment. And let us not forget that many Latino-American field workers could not form a union until Cesar Chavez said, "Si se puede!"
Just as these historical examples of racism and xenophobia have been thrown into the dust bin of history, let us do the same with hateful theme parties. In the year 2007, it is long past due for us to say no to racism once and for all. Let us move forward with a mission to build a campus and a society that promotes diversity and respect for all. We can do it, but we must do it together.
Ricky Alexander
Undeclared '09
Latinos deserve respect
To the Editor:
As an alumnus of Santa Clara ('84), I read with initial sadness the news of students who degraded people of Mexican heritage by dressing as janitors, cholos and pregnant teenagers at a "south of the border" party held.
I am a teacher at Mountain View High School, and three of my hardest working students of the last few years -- all Latino -- are now freshmen at Santa Clara.
Perhaps those who attended the party do not actually know any students from the group they mocked. Throughout my teaching career, I have marveled at the humanistic values of so many Mexican-American students: their devotion to family, friendships, cooperation and hard work.
Being white, I come from a culture that tends to value competition, individualism, efficiency and the profit motive, yet I admire the ethics of Mexican-American culture. Indeed, I often find these value systems to be complementary rather than mutually exclusive.
Latinos deserve sincere respect for the contributions they make to American society -- be they the custodians who keep my high school campus clean or the Latino attorneys, business people, physicians and engineers who were once my classmates at SCU.
After some reflection, I recognize that the offending students couldn't have revealed their cultural and racial insensitivity in any better place. Given the Jesuit order's passionate commitment for teaching social justice, conscience and character -- especially to those who are unaware of their own social privilege -- I sense that the party-goers will be provided ample opportunity to learn about the richness of Mexican-American culture before graduation.
Although my students went to Santa Clara to learn, something tells me they are now just as busy teaching.
Steve Kahl
Santa Clara alumnus '84
Outcry unnecessary
To the Editor:
I find it rather amusing that you, as a university community, choose to hang these young people out as racial bigots. I'm sure the Carlos Mencia Show and the Dave Chappelle Show are television favorites across the Santa Clara campus; however, not a word is mentioned publicly in response to their persistent racial muses. In fact, I wouldn't hesitate to say funny quips from those shows are recited on a daily basis in classrooms, public meeting areas and the like, with nary an eyebrow raised.
Perhaps the Santa Clara community should reevaluate their own actions before making a public outcry against a small group of students sharing a few laughs and enjoying an off-campus party.
Alex Gambill
Atlanta, Ga.
Ignorance revealed
To the Editor:
A couple of years ago, I had four hours to assemble a Halloween costume. My idea came while in Benson: dress as the typical Santa Clara girl -- Juicy Couture sweatsuit, paparazzi shades, Tiffany's bracelet and Coach handbag.
I ended up not doing it. People pointed out that I was (am) not blonde, Caucasian, a business major or Catholic. I also realized that the getup was perpetuating a stereotype, making fun of people in a tacky way, and would only be funny for about two minutes.
It's disappointing to hear about controversies like the theme party, not just because they sound repetitive and are inherently frustrating, but also because the rebuttals against the original complaint often sound the same. I've heard a lot of "stop whining, and go back to where you came from." But people who tell my Chinese face to "go back" don't seem to realize that such a return trip is a 15-minute drive to Fremont, Calif.
I've also read a lot of "minorities should stop segregating themselves based on their culture." But what's so wrong with unifying? Sorority girls get together for their exclusive events, and I just wish more power to them and their sisters. What if culture is among someone's foremost interests? What if someone is passionate enough about his or her identity that he or she is willing to mobilize others around it?
The problem is not that there are no efforts for diversity education or cultural awareness. The problem is that people go through these programs without taking the first step of fully realizing their own agency in the situations. These ignorant acts are repeated because the ignorance is never admitted in the first place.
Mayka Mei
Santa Clara alumna '06
MCC Director '04-'05
Print photos unedited
To the Editor:
As a recent alumna of the Santa Clara School of Law, I am outraged, but not surprised, by the recent photographs circulating of the "south of the border" party that took place on Jan. 29.
I strongly disagree with The Santa Clara's choice to not print the photos of the students in the same format in which they were posted on the Internet. I understand that there were more attendees than those pictured, but those who were photographed were photographed knowingly, and, from what I can see of the pictures, proudly. They went through the trouble of dressing up and attending a party, not in fear of being seen, but in order to be seen. So, let them be seen.
If they feel that their viewpoint and expression has merit, let them stand behind it. Let them face the harm they have done to their university and to their fellow students, including alumni. Those pictured chose the image that they were portraying. In the "interest of fairness," shouldn't they be willing to deal with the opinion that others who see the pictures will form of them as individuals?
Cindy Carla Avitia
Santa Clara Law alumna '06
Racism on campus
To the Editor:
As a recent alumna of Santa Clara, it is frustrating (although unfortunately, not surprising) to hear about the "south of the border" party; even worse were the hateful student responses to the article in the comment section of The Santa Clara's Web site. Although the party in isolation is extremely inappropriate, the real issue is the context within which the party occurred. There are serious elements of racism at Santa Clara which have not been addressed by the campus as a whole. As a white female, many of my white peers had trouble seeing the personal value in discussing intolerance when I was at Santa Clara.
White students need to recognize their involvement in the problem. What these students don't realize is the detrimental effect passive attitudes play in perpetuating campus-wide racism. Even if you don't think the party was "that big of a deal," and you don't think that you are racist, this attitude contributes to campus racism. Apathy by the majority of the students and by the administration (for example, merely responding to the party with words in an e-mail statement rather than in action) will not solve the problem. As someone who was involved with a wide range of groups at Santa Clara, I sincerely hope that white students who were once apathetic will wake up and take personal initiative to make Santa Clara a better place for everyone.
Jenica Mariani
Santa Clara alumna '06
Support for Locatelli
To the Editor:
We write because we have followed with concern the developments around the recent theme party held by students of this Jesuit university. We fully support University President Paul Locatelli, S.J., in his efforts to see that this kind of behavior, which runs contrary to all that we stand for as a Jesuit university, does not happen again. The campus has witnessed the pain that such behavior can cause, especially, in this case, to Latino and Latina students. We deeply regret the pain that any of our students experienced because of this event. It is evident that problems exist, and it is our hope that everyone will take the time to examine and address the various underlying causes. As Jesuits, we want in particular to further the healing and reconciliation that will help us all grow together as a diverse and united community.
Gerdenio Manuel, S.J., Jesuit Rector
Paul Crowley, S.J.
Charles Phipps, S.J.
Robert St. Clair, S.J.
Michael Zampelli, S.J.
Respect your community
To the Editor:
It is discouraging to learn that since my recent graduation, the maturity and intelligence of the Santa Clara student body has not progressed in a positive fashion, but instead, has regressed.
Hearing about the "south of the border" party through an outside news source was disturbing. Reading the hateful and ignorant student responses to the article on The Santa Clara online comment section was beyond embarrassing. This is not a favorable reflection on the kind of students that Santa Clara strives to produce.
I do not overlook the fact that the party was offensive and ill-conceived. But I also believe that it is incorrect to blindly claim that all Caucasian people are racist and apathetic. The mere act of accusing Caucasian people for being wrong is, in itself, racist, discriminative and hypocritical.
Anyone can talk about the tribulations of prejudice, ignorance and bigotry. But I do not see those as coming anywhere close to defining this predicament. The root cause and detrimental force of the problem is a lack of dignity from each individual student.
Santa Clara is one of the best private institutions in the country that provides plentiful outlets for learning and experiences along with personal attention and exponential growth. The least you can do is to have enough self respect to appreciate, listen and understand the fellow members of your community while learning as much as you can from one another. It does not take a genius to understand respect. But it does take maturity.
Spending your time exchanging insults and hateful names while marching around informing every media source of how wrong the situation has become solves nothing. It only perpetuates anger and the loss of great friendships yet to be made.
Landis Lau
Santa Clara alumnus '06