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:
I will be blunt. Stop taking your self so seriously and start living in the real world! I am so sick of the “offense culture”. The university was wrong very wrong to cave on this.
I rather doubt that these two students were all that offended. I think it’s all about power. If they can find offense in some trivial matter and thereby force the university to change it gives them a feeling of importance. My mother taught us that St. Patrick’s Day in her home country is a religious holiday, to be celebrated by going to church and a large family dinner, not a raucous binge drinking event as it is portrayed in the U.S. I suppose that I could therefore claim offense at a stereotyped poster of an Irish leprechaun in ragged, patched clothes drinking a beer, and demand a public apology, but I wouldn’t do that because then I would be a hyper-sensitive ass. I would rather just explain the differences, in a friendly and positive manner, between St. P’s celebrations in Ireland and the U.S. with anyone who is interested in the subject.
Annie,
The President get’s to talk about #45 and #46 to the parents of #44 today…
Yes the left has gone crazy with its hypersensitivity. The right has gone crazy with its hyperbolic hypocrisy.
We all need to adopt a wider stance. Apologies to Larry Craig.
Good lord, 46 school shootings this year alone?
Annie,
… Because it’s always ‘too soon’ to talk about real solutions to yesterday’s gun shootings because it’s too early to talk about stopping the shootings today. In circles…
Annie
“Good thing no one was packing heat. It may have ended in a shootout, like this morning at the Northern Arizona University.”
= = =
School shooting number
45… Sorry, a new one, #46One Killed And Another Wounded At Texas Southern University Shooting
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/one-killed-and-another-wounded-at-texas-southern-university-shooting_56180945e4b0e66ad4c7d64b
Need. More. Guns. On. Campus.
~N. R. A.
JAG
“we should recognize that our side has some that are batshite crazy.”
= = =
Why… that means our bats are like their bats.
When flapping one wing, each bat only goes in circles.
JAG
“The Culture of the USA is OTHER cultures.”
= = =
Nowadays, that culture has turned into one where we are building walls to keep other cultures out.
No candy corn at her Halloween party… unless she’s the trick, treating?
No green beer keggers at her Sorority… YES?
No pizza or pasta in her dorm… YES?
A larger concern to me is the way one or two individuals, in a democratic country no less, can “complain” and the result is a major policy action or change. I’ve seen this in two towns I’ve lived in. It’s one thing to elect a President or Governor who might have the ability to set or alter policy (although their charter is actually quite circumscribed), but to have any two people, as a result of their personal discomfort (not pain or serious loss) result in a reaction beyond merely being a catalyst to seeing what others might think…grotesque.
Josseph Jones
1, October 9, 2015 at 1:37 pm
Quebec has law requiring signage for privately owned restaurants to be in French only. English is outlawed. They issue citations for violations and punishment can include imprisonment.
———–
IN the USA, which is MANY different cultures, that would not be really possible.
The Culture of the USA is OTHER cultures.
BUT… I like the idea in Quebec….
You should see what it is like in Europe, ENGLISH everywhere… Even the TV commercials in Sweden,
and Norway..
We have something called Folklorama, which is a festival of all nations at different venues. All are cheesy representations because we are not actually in those countries. This has been responsible for tourizuim here, made people aware of cultures of smaller countries and increased tourizuim and revenue . Too bad such a racesr spreding of culture has such a positive effect. Lmao
Get the point?
No Halloween celebrations at Clemson. That would offend all those with hollow weenies.
No Easter celebrations at Clemson either. That will offend the Playboy Bunnies.
I dont think they should ahve any Santa Claus guys on Christmas either. That is an insult to Sintur Klaus who is German.