We have often discussed how universities have become battle grounds over so-called “microaggressions” and offensive terms or images involving race, religion, or culture. Some of these efforts raise serious questions of the erosion of free speech as well as double standards applied to faculty and students. The example of the sensitivity toward such objections was evident this week at Clemson University, which apologizes for racial or cultural insensitivity for holding “Maximum Mexican” night featuring Mexican cuisine. Two students were offended and the university has apologized.
Clemson Dining’s “Maximum Mexican” night is popular among students for Mexican themed food and festivities. However, two students, who took to Twitter to voice their displeasure with the school’s decision to host such a “#CUlturallyInsensitive” event. “Amanda A” was one of those students:
The university also has themed nights for St. Patrick’s day etc. Yet, one student objected to the wearing of sombreros: “Our culture isn’t a costume and we will not be mocked!” Yet, is it mocking to wear a hat associated with Mexico? If so, they might want to check out Cinco de Mayo celebrations?
Dr. Doug Hallenbeck, Clemson University’s Senior Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, however, went public with an apology for the event’s “flattened cultural view of Mexican culture. . . It is the mission of University Housing & Dining to create supportive and challenging environments that enrich and nourish lives. We failed to live out our mission yesterday, and we sincerely apologize.”
Hallenbeck promised reforms.
At times, stereotypes are evident in celebrations. For example, when I take the kids to places likes Busch Gardens both my Irish and Italian heritage is representing by common imagery and stereotypes, but I am not offended. Indeed, I am glad that my two cultures are so widely enjoyed. Is it a “flattened” presentation? Yes, but all imagery and symbols are reductionist to some extent. My concern is that we are becoming a hyper-sensitive society where people are increasingly attuned to take offense, even when the other party is acting with no malice or disrespect intended by their actions.
What do you think?
Source:
To be fair, if the men want to wear a dirndle and the women lederhosen, it’s all good.
A German night would be great. Lederhosen for the men and a dirndle for the women and beer with Wienerschnitzel and Spaetzel for everyone. After a few beers everyone would be dancing and yodeling. Ja, Ja eine gute Zeit fur alle.
Reblogged this on Scoop Feed.
What about Chinese night?
BBQ night?
Italian night?
Irish night?
British night? No, wait a minute, no British food is good so they probably don’t have British night. No wait, my comment is offensive to British people.
It is all offensive and it all must go.
Political correctness run amok.
Hallenbeck’s apology is exactly the out of touch with reality response one expects from academia.
One of the most oppressive monoracial memes of American hemisphere has been “la raza.” Out of thousands of tribes and tongues of indigenous, out of a thin white overclass and a huge mixed population, some genius cobbled up this lie of a Mexican “raza” that would unite them all.
Not quite as false and propagandistic as the American “melting pot” but just as destructive or real ethnic identity.
I have zero problem poking fun at anything stereotypically “Mexican” and pretty much its only the humorless Chicanos of Alta California who care about this kind of stuff. The Mexicans that speak Spanish every day out here in flyover land could care less about political correctness, and it’s one of their unique charms.
Chicago restaurants of every ethnic variety are staffed by Mexicans. That includes asian ones. And take a look in the kitchen at any of the hundred Greek restaurants and you will say my those greeks were darker and short but they seem to have gotten a lot darker and shorter in Chicago.
On the surface it appears an overreaction – however, “maximum mexican” is probably not a flattering portrayal of Mexican culture. Professor Turley kind of glossed over that aspect.
This is another example of how the individual freedom of one person adversely affects the individual freedom of another.
Result: No Freedom for Anybody.
What IS important is Freedom for “We the People” not the impossibility in practice of Freedom for “Me the Person”.
@ RWL, a nation-wide chain of any type of cuisine isn’t going to be the best, almost by definition. The best of any cuisine isn’t going to be compatible with the mass production of a chain kitchen that hires people to follow the formula, rather than chefs who know and have lived the cuisine. That’s my bias, anyway. And specific to Mexican, there are so many different types of Mexican food, depending on region. Meat/vegetable ingredients and spices differ (at least in concentration) depending on the region. Coastal areas have more seafood dishes, inland – not so much. Same with Chinese cuisines – there are a bunch of them and chain restaurants tend toward lowest common denominator.
Wonderer
Great info. Thanks!
Paul,
Same here. I drove past a few of them, and I was afraid to get out of the car. Lol!
I have a lot a of landscapers working in my area. They are Aztec and Mayan Indians.
They do Chinese take out orders with Chinese beer. Not Mexican foodies.
Thank you, John Smith.
Found a list of favorite Mexican places in STL!
10 Best Mexican Restaurants in St. Louis Missouri.
http://www.riverfronttimes.com/foodblog/2013/08/14/ten-best-mexican-restaurants-in-st-louis?showFullText=true
Absurd complaint. Absurd response.
Any food associated with Mexico will no longer be served at Clemson. Enjoy your dinner students.
Best Mexican restaurant in Chicago is frontera grill. A white guy owns it, rick bayliss. Makes local cuisine. Yummy stuff like huitlacoche tacos. That’s corn smut to you gringos.
Paul,
The spotlight is on you! What are your top 5 favor Mexican Cuisines (or if you have any national chains besides Chili’s that you recommend)?
I haven’t been to any fine, dining Mexican restaurants, but wouldn’t mind knowing a few that are nation wide?
Anybody else have a few suggestions?
RWL – I do not know of any chains that I like, but most of mine are family owned.
It sounds like the two students are deeply ashamed of their heritage and Mexican customs. They need to be sent to McDonald’s U. to take a Mexican culture class. Shame on Clemson for bowing to such a weak request. This is America and these students should take a lesson from the internet, no one forces you to participate in what you are offended by. Amanda A. and her compadre were only looking the infamous 30 seconds of fame……What a shame America has come to this.
BTW: I am second generation American. All four grandparents were from Mexico.
I am going to be very upset if they get rid of Mexican food.
This will be a hate crime in 10 years.
This is typical today. Amazing that a celebration of a culture is considered insensitive. Unfortunately, the kids being taught this garbage will be running things in a few years.
There is a Mexican resturant about every third block here, some very good. I have Mexican food at least once a month. This is total BS. Clemson is chicken and I hope their football team collapses for the rest of the season.
Are they idiots or attention seekers?