VivirLatino

UCLA's MEChA chapter recently raised a stink about a fraternity's Tijuana themed party. The ad for the party said something like "it's just like real Mexico, only cleaner" in the flier or email. I'm not sure what ended up happening, but I know the Center for Student Programming which oversees student groups stepped in.

Of course it's not the same thing!! A "White Trash" party and a "fresh off the boat" party have completely different histories in this country. The latter has experienced structural racism and outright discrimination for the last hundred years. It doesn't carry the same meaning when a white priveleged person makes these comment as oppose to a person of color (like Latinos) who have a history of oppression and subjugation in this society.

-Angry Chicano student from Vassar College

It is more the same thing than it's not. Both situations involve negative stereotypes of a whole race/ethnicity of people, regardless of who is doing it. I just wonder if some Latino/a fraternity somewhere had a "South of the Border" themed party if anyone would cause a ruckus. If instead of an image of that happy white girl above, it was an image of a Mexican girl dressed up as a maid, would anyone care?

I think you should be able to make fun of everyone, especially yourself, with the only condition that you don't offend. Was anyone offended by the white trash party? Probably not, as it didn't make the news.

If latinos (and others) on campus are offended by this kind of dress-ups, they should be banned.

At the science campus of the University of Antwerp (where I'm studying), most parties have a 'theme' too. But there are hundreds of possible themes you can think of, without mocking (and maybe offending) certain types of people. (Examples: Nineties/Eighties/Sixties/etc, Naughty Schoolgirl/Nerdy Schoolboy, Bling Bling, Hollywood, ...)

The young lady dressed up as a black maid with Aunt Jemima syrup looks dumb, scores about 55 on IQ tests and is probably in college due to legacy, ie., daddy or mommy got her in. She really looks like a laughing stock!!

Racist theme parties? Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! Whatever has the world come to? It's pathetic that something like this causes such an outcry. As if there aren't more important and more shocking things going on both in the US and all over the world at all times.

Get over yourselves.

I cant belive that David, the Angry Chicano is advocating racism. To him its OK to make fun of the white poor, but not the mexican poor.

Like Jim said, get over yourselves. Im getting tired of having to cater and walk on eggshells lately.

While you might think your advocacy is helping your cause, I think its fueling anti mexican feeling in people who otherwise would not have such feelings.

Whats also funny is that black and mexican commedians make fun of whites all the time, but if a white makes fun of blacks or mexicans, its a outcry. How is this fair?

I have been to a few White Trash parties in my day and like it has been posted above there was no outcry from the public. We're some people offended? I'm sure they we're because people get offened by eveything in this country. Yes they are stereotypes, and yes some stereotypes are funny. But the fact that these things are stereotypes is why, in my mind, they are funny. Some moron decided that one or a few persons represented everyone (aka - Rosey Perez's voice being the stereotypical voice of all latino women). Most of the big general stereotypes have out-lived themselves; most sane people don't believe them anymore, so why not make fun of the fact that people did?
and P.S. Whitey didn't come up with every stereotype in the book, so please don't act like we did.

It does not matter what race you are, there will always be sterotypes that are created within it's own culture and opposite cultures. These race themed parties will exist as long as we segregate ourselves. Look at your schools, churches, social groups! Are you recruiting everybody or just who is in front of you that looks like you. The media capitalizes on this issue of race all the time, not showing compassion to the problem but fueling it with negativity.
I feel sorry for the those that engage in this activity because they have not allowed themselves to step out of their box and be a person of color-brown,red, black, yellow, white. The best response is educating those that are caught in this racist ploy; lesson on insecurity and insentivity is all we can do.
Like when you wear that Redskins, Indians, Seminoles, Chiefs hat or shirt or the "chant" that follows-What are you really representing with that apparal? Maybe in general a proud fan BUT to an Indian or Native American or American Indian, it's a slap in the face too.

Ah, you guys are idiots. Anytime anything is offensive, it should stop. I'm Mexican and I hate Carlos Mencia because his jokes are out of line, for everybody. There are other ways to have fun without disgracing anyone. How about a good your mama joke instead of a racial joke next time? Bigots. All of 'ya.

I've always -- since I was a little kid -- found the term "white trash" vaguely offensive. Why is it necessary? Because other racial groups are inherently trashy? And you know, seeing as white people are, generally speaking, so superior, a term to distinguish those who are NOT becomes necessary?

I've never heard anyone called "black (or brown) trash," just as I've never heard a white kid who gets an education and moves out of his old neighborhood called "uppity."

oh comn, have a sense of humor.
why are you so pissed at some drunk college kids, who dressed up as a joke. jokes are inherantly good, because they help to make light of a very real issue that needs more publsity so that those who are commiting true racial descrimination, not those just being young and stupid, get their time in the lime light.

So quit being hypersensative, the more you react the more comics and tv personalities are going to use those stupid jokes... because the yknow that they will get the ratings..

feed the flames of social change with a good sense of humor... you'll get alot more done alot quicker.

just my two sense flame me all you want...

Now imagine you are a Latino in one of these universities. Would you think such a party was oh so funny? People who use the excuse, "Oh it's just a joke," and claim that those who are reacting are hypersensitive are missing the point and wallowing in their own privilege.

Also some implied that these people were celebrating culture. Bull. They are mocking it!

I don't think the point is just about hurt feelings; all of these "parties' show a disgusting lack of empathy & awareness.
What troubles me is how these events reinforce & "iron in" some very narrow, insulting and limiting stereotypes about who people are and can be by race/ethnicity; and this at an age (teens & early 20's) are forming & solidifying their values & beliefs. For this reason I feel the "white trash" parties aren't as harmful--cruel & arrogant, yes, but the fact is a poor white person has doors that can open for them if they do certain things. No matter how far a black or latino achieves, their race/ethnicity and the stereotypes around it can be used as a weapon to "humble" them. This doesn't just hurt feelings; it tells one to aim for less, and externally it maintains privilege.
These 'parties' are not a benign joke; that they are happening at a time of heightened paranoia & zenophobia about "immigrants" is no coincidence.