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:
Rand Paul is a good example of a libertarian that is barely different than any GOPer. He may differ on engaging in foreign wars, but on social issues he’s as right wing nut as the next tea bagger.
The Cubs are losing, have some empathy for JT. Oh, and the complaint dept. is closed, whiners!
Oh baloney, libertarians are as nutty as the nuts on either the left or the right. Libertarians have become polluted by the right wing and no longer represent anything different than your run of the mill right wing nut. That’s why they’re so often called Glibertarians.
For those w/ the pretense and pomposity to question JT’s choices. “Don’t let the door hit you where the Good Lord split ya’.” WordPress and Blogger provide ample opportunity for anyone to start a blog. Hell, you might have 4 or 5 people read it. Hundreds of thousands of people read this blog from all over the world. Whining is classic liberal. JAG is as liberal as they come but she, unlike too many liberals, has COMMON SENSE.
JAG, Great comments! Come around more often, PLEASE!
You can be liberal to conservative and be libertarian. The duopoly does not allow that.
A substantive positive piece of news is Cornell hired a new President, Elizabeth Garrett. She is, like JT, an attorney who understands and loves the First Amendment. Ms. Garrett made it CLEAR to students and faculty alike she does not abide PC, microaggressions[mentioned that specifically] or any of this anti speech crap. This is a liberal, libertarian woman who will be challenged by the numb skulls we see on campus and here as well. I think she’s up to the challenge.
Even 5th grade students know libertarians are pro free speech and NEVER abide PC, microaggressions, zero tolerance, etc., or any of the crap liberals shovel in the education industry. Complete and totally IGNORANT statement on its face.
I’m offended that it was assumed they were far left liberals!😤 Who knows maybe they were crabby libertarians?
i’m offended that you think I might be offended!
Mike,
While it is true, Professor Turley doesn’t write about those things, he does accept GUEST Writers,
and I bet if you wanted those issues covered, he would be willing to let you write a piece or 2.
If you don’t want to write those articles, ask Daren, I bet he would. Daren is a GREAT writer.
Fact is, he can’t cover everything in his blog… So, I comment on the things that are covered.
This however, does not negate the fact that SOME on the FAR left have become cartoons,
They are making the Liberals look bad…. Enough with the silly crap, Liberals getting upset about Mexican FOOD,
and MAYBE they should be MORE outraged about the issues you mentioned.
Mike… BEFORE I read the book you just wrote me, PLEASE go back, and READ exactly what I wrote.
You MIGHT want to look for the words “FAR LEFT”
I NEVER said it was representative of THE Left… I have said FAR LEFT… There is a HUGE difference.
BY the way. I am a Liberal….. I am just aware that there are a LOT of FAR left Liberals
who are just battttshit crazy.
JAG
I’m bothered by your disdain for the left and wonder if you are aware of just what is happening over in America. Prof. Turley does NOT cover the issues that horrify the left – no, he often publishes stupidity like this story which, in my opinion, functions like propaganda. What he leaves unpublished is just as important as what he does post.
Turley does not publish stories about the closure of 31 DMV offices in Alabama – all located in large majority African American communities – in a state that demands voter IDs in order to vote.
Turley does not publish stories about states passing laws that make it more and more difficult to register to vote, that make more and more demands for voter IDs, that reduce days for voting.
Turley does not publish stories about multiple states passing laws that make it almost impossible to get an abortion, and you can drop my use of ‘almost’ if the woman is poor. Abortion is still legal in America but many states have imposed laws that make it almost impossible to get one – even an abortion that could easily be accomplished medically.
Turley does not publish stories about gun violence. Just today there were TWO shootings on TWO different college campuses. Not one word.
Turley does not publish stories about the threat of a shutdown of the government if no budget is passed.
Turley does not publish stories about Republican success in gerrymandering. Turley does not publish stories on the possibility that the Republicans will not raise the cap on the debt level and the possible consequences. Turley does not publish stories on the attacks on unions. Turley does not publish stories about the millions of Americans who HATE the government and desperately want a revolution , who believe Obama is a Muslim, a dictator, hates America, is a Marxist and how the Republicans encourage those ideas.
No, instead his choice is to publish stories that seem to have annoyed three people at Clemson and one dumb offensive woman who teaches on another campus thereby making it seem this is what the left is interested in.
He, of course, is entitled to his choices. But it is helpful to understand that his choices – silly as they may seem – are deliberate and need to be understood as having a political POV. If your view of the left is based on what he publishes, it is not a very representative one.
Two dumb students one administrator for apologizing and promising ‘reforms’ are quite representative of the left.
Hypersensitive complainers and blamers, continuously searching for WrongThink and BadFeel.
Nothing but stupidity.
Turley for posting.
Two students for complaining.
And one administrator for apologizing and promising ‘reforms’.
JAG,
TWO dumb students are hardly representative of the left. It didn’t set off a twitter storm did it? Sounds as if there were THREE people at Clemson that were upset.
Make that four upset – need to add Prof. Turley to the list.
A horse is a horse, a horse of course, unless of course the horse’s name is Mister Ed.
It goes something like that. From that old sitcom on tv. Where the horse talked.
I went to have some Southern food, but the chef was too busy chasing his sister.
When I was a kid almost every difference of opinion was met with a shrug and the offhand comment, “It’s a free country, pal.” Now that I think of it, I haven’t heard that expression in decades. Perhaps it is time to revive it!
At my Catholic college we had “Fishy Fridays.” They only served fish in the cafeteria, and this was in the 1980s, long after Vatican II. One week, everyone who ate the fish chowder got sick and was puking all over the place. We didn’t get any apology and didn’t get a refund. Insensitive Jesuits!! LOL.
TinEar – you are supposed to offer up your suffer to God. Did the Jesuits not teach you anything? 😉
The real disgrace here is the university caving in, rather than using it as an opportunity to teach that people can have different perspectives and perceptions and that is okay. I don’t find anything offensive in the term “Maximum Mexican.” It suggests a lot of food and a large variety. If someone reads something else into it, that’s okay, but it is no reason to cancel the event that so many students seem to enjoy.