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News & ArtsWednesday, November 25, 2009
City Racially Charged Party Invitation Becomes Headache for the Dean of UW's School of Public Policy
Posted by Dominic Holden on Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 12:47 PM
A student at the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Affairs sent an email to the EvansLife listserv on Tuesday inviting everyone to a house party this weekend with a racially charged theme. The party, titled "FIREWATER FRIDAY: the indians take it back," elicited an outcry from students so loud that Dean Sandra Archibald has called a meeting this afternoon to put out the fire.
The event billed itself as a way to "celebrate the holiday with a little sensitivity." The invitation, which was also posted to an online forum, promises a pow wow, drum circle, sweat lodge, a vision quest, and a "march down the trail of tears to ravtav [?] before a new day dawns." But some may have been rubbed wrong by the accompanying photo:
"As a Native American in the Evans School, I would like to point out that the invitation description for this event is in poor taste, disrespectful, and reflects poorly on the Evans School," one of the students wrote. Dozens of emails followed, mostly critical of racist overtones, despite the attempt at humor. "I realize you were going for Southpark/Sarah Silverman style meta-bigotry as a method of exposing prejudice, but your mesage [sic] falls completely flat in it's attempt," another student wrote.
And another adds, "Despite how smart the senders of this invite THINK they are, they have only given us indication that they are at worst insensitive clods and at the very best perpetrators of a crass and sophomoric attempt at satire, which fell flat." The criticisms raged on from more students, including this one: "I can honestly say that I would NEVER find it funny for someone, particularly someone of a different race, to satirize hardships faced by my ethnic/racial group."
Dean Archibald herself posted to the list this morning inviting students to a forum at 1:30 p.m. Jason Smith, the assistant dean of students at the Evans School, which has 408 students, says Archibald is simply trying to bring a "professional" dialogue to the school, which grooms people for future work in public policy.
Naturally, Evans School spokeswoman Molly McCarthy tried to distance the school from the hubbub, saying neither the private house party nor the email list itself are officially sanctioned by the school. However, she acknowledges faculty got involved, "Because it is a listserv that had a lot of our people on it it’s called EvansLife." She adds, "A lot of things are unfortunate about the situation but it also opens up the door to have a good conversation."
1
Yeah, because all Indians are the same, and they all have pow wows, drum circles, sweat lodges, vision quests, and trails of tears. Right? They all look like that Italian dude from the TV commercial with the tear in his eye about litter, right?
That woman in the picture needs a few sharp blows to the head.
That woman in the picture needs a few sharp blows to the head.
2
Oh wow, there's somebody dressed as an iconic figure from American history! How horrible! She must have deserves a sharp blows to the head for this! Wah!
4
I just can't bring myself to care about stupid emails. Seems like a colossal waste of time.
How about we just not give a shit?
How about we just not give a shit?
6
@ 1 Nice reference of a 30 yo TV PSA!
I hope they show the classic "What Makes the Redman Red?" number from Disney's Peter Pan. Maybe this group can host a party on the day after MLK Day. The day could be filled with forced labor, singing spirituals, frying chicken and eating watermelon. Then they can show Disney's "Song of the South."
Stupid college students.
I hope they show the classic "What Makes the Redman Red?" number from Disney's Peter Pan. Maybe this group can host a party on the day after MLK Day. The day could be filled with forced labor, singing spirituals, frying chicken and eating watermelon. Then they can show Disney's "Song of the South."
Stupid college students.
7
Had this story taken place anywhere other than Washington, the outcry would be along the lines of "What. The. Fuck... is WRONG with the (South/Texas/Midwest/East Coast/etc)..."
Not as progressive as we like to believe we are, eh, Washington?
Not as progressive as we like to believe we are, eh, Washington?
10
I don't really think this is that big deal. It's dumb, it's culturally ignorant, and historically incorrect, but so is the entire holiday of Thanksgiving, the Washington Redskins, Atlanta Braves, and Disney's Pocahontus. To me it seems like they are just acknowledging that. I disagree with Fnarf that she "needs a few sharp blows upside the head." though. This is a PRIVATE party off campus, and these students just want an excuse to get drunk and have some fun over the holiday. Sitting around the living room sipping wine and rereading the first couple of chapters of A Peoples History of the United States doesn't really sound like an exciting time to me.
Besides, maybe she's one of the millions of white people that claim they are 1/16th Cherokee or something.
Besides, maybe she's one of the millions of white people that claim they are 1/16th Cherokee or something.
11
Fnarf has aaaaaaalmost reached a Mr. Poe-level of constant insults and idiocy where he'll just need to leave forever soon. I give him 2 weeks.
13
@ 10 Can you please leave wine out of your Howard Zinn bashing? Not all oenophiles enjoy socialistic takes on US history with the fruit of the vine.
15
Too late slog! I grabbed that picture of the party girl and now I got it ha ha! way to endanger her life.
17
@ 13,
I wasn't bashing Howard Zinn, or oenophiles/winos, I'm a big fan of both. Just acknowledging that having a solemn discussion of the atrocities of US history isn't exactly conducive to having a fun holiday party. Sometimes college students just need an excuse to dress up in skimpy outfits, drink beer, and dance, and flirt and have fun and chill out. I don't see whats wrong with that. Having to deal with the shitty weather, airport/travel delays, and everyones' respective families is bad enough.
I wasn't bashing Howard Zinn, or oenophiles/winos, I'm a big fan of both. Just acknowledging that having a solemn discussion of the atrocities of US history isn't exactly conducive to having a fun holiday party. Sometimes college students just need an excuse to dress up in skimpy outfits, drink beer, and dance, and flirt and have fun and chill out. I don't see whats wrong with that. Having to deal with the shitty weather, airport/travel delays, and everyones' respective families is bad enough.
18
@ 17 Would you hold the same opinion if this party was Nazi themed around Memorial Day or if they were holding a minstrelsy sing-along on MLK Day?
I don't go in for knee-jerk reactions and excessive political correctness but there is such a thing as good judgment and good taste and the idea for and execution of the invitation to this party lacks both.
I don't go in for knee-jerk reactions and excessive political correctness but there is such a thing as good judgment and good taste and the idea for and execution of the invitation to this party lacks both.
19
@8 we were the cigar indian liberation front. sadly we were only able to rescue one of our brethern. our day will come, our day will come.
20
Most Indians I've known could care less about this kind of thing, and those who do care are basically assholes who just happen to also be Indians -- and being dicky about being Native American is just one of the many things they're dicks about.
21
@18 I see your point,
I agree that it's lame and bad judgement, but I don't believe these people are seriously supporting genocide of native americans, nor do I believe that they deserve "a few sharp blows to the head" or to be expelled or punished in school. At least they'll get a dirty looks and maybe some ridicule, so they might actually think about what they are doing next time. Especially considering the theme they attempting to portray is "celebrate the holiday with a little sensitivity", it just shows that they don't know what they are talking about. There are so many examples of this throughout american culture, every single western cowboy movie, elementary school kids doing plays about the pilgrims and indians. I also think that overtime we become more and more desensitized to these things, not saying it's right, but it's just the way it is. Since WWII and MLK were fairly recent events, and the memories are alive today in the people that lived it of course it would be in even worse taste.
To sum up my feelings, yes it is tacky and in horrible taste, and they deserve some ridicule, which they are getting since their photos are on the internet, and we are making fun of them. They are also young college students making stupid mistakes. Big fucking deal. I wish the Stranger would ask Sherman Alexie to chime in on this.
I agree that it's lame and bad judgement, but I don't believe these people are seriously supporting genocide of native americans, nor do I believe that they deserve "a few sharp blows to the head" or to be expelled or punished in school. At least they'll get a dirty looks and maybe some ridicule, so they might actually think about what they are doing next time. Especially considering the theme they attempting to portray is "celebrate the holiday with a little sensitivity", it just shows that they don't know what they are talking about. There are so many examples of this throughout american culture, every single western cowboy movie, elementary school kids doing plays about the pilgrims and indians. I also think that overtime we become more and more desensitized to these things, not saying it's right, but it's just the way it is. Since WWII and MLK were fairly recent events, and the memories are alive today in the people that lived it of course it would be in even worse taste.
To sum up my feelings, yes it is tacky and in horrible taste, and they deserve some ridicule, which they are getting since their photos are on the internet, and we are making fun of them. They are also young college students making stupid mistakes. Big fucking deal. I wish the Stranger would ask Sherman Alexie to chime in on this.
22
There is no such thing as a fun party that is inoffensive, in good taste, and considerate.
Then again, a response like this is an occupational hazard of sending any message out on an academic listserve: there's always some miserable tight-ass out there who's looking to make their mark by being emotionally wounded, since they're too untalented to do it any other way.
Then again, a response like this is an occupational hazard of sending any message out on an academic listserve: there's always some miserable tight-ass out there who's looking to make their mark by being emotionally wounded, since they're too untalented to do it any other way.
23
Wait, wait, wait, we missed an important question, people: is the party still on? I don't have Friday night plans yet!
24
@20- Let me paraphrase "People who think white people being racist is reprehensible are dicks."
Hard to argue with your logic. It doesn't exist.
Hard to argue with your logic. It doesn't exist.
25
It's not insensitive, it's just stupid.
And as most folks at UW and here are unaware of the continued strife of indians, their ignorance is good cover for their stupidity.
I'm more offended by Columbus Day and Walker, Texas Ranger (whenever they talk about the history of the Texas Rangers, they neglect to mention they were killing and raping indians up until the middle of this century, and perhaps even further -- oh, and because Walker sucks).
And as most folks at UW and here are unaware of the continued strife of indians, their ignorance is good cover for their stupidity.
I'm more offended by Columbus Day and Walker, Texas Ranger (whenever they talk about the history of the Texas Rangers, they neglect to mention they were killing and raping indians up until the middle of this century, and perhaps even further -- oh, and because Walker sucks).
26
This headline is incorrectly. The headline is sensational and in no way captures how the Evans School responded to this situation.
The email sent yesterday and the subsequent events that transpired were in no way a "headache" for the Dean. Dean Archibald acted quickly to organize a forum for students to discuss the email, how we responded, and where to go from here. To the Evans School’s credit, a number of faculty also attended.
Those of us who attended the Dean’s forum today were reminded that talking about race isn’t easy. We left with much work to do. But as someone who just yesterday evening personally called on the Dean to respond swiftly and with leadership, I’m very satisfied with her response. I'm also proud to be a graduate student in the Evans School.
The email sent yesterday and the subsequent events that transpired were in no way a "headache" for the Dean. Dean Archibald acted quickly to organize a forum for students to discuss the email, how we responded, and where to go from here. To the Evans School’s credit, a number of faculty also attended.
Those of us who attended the Dean’s forum today were reminded that talking about race isn’t easy. We left with much work to do. But as someone who just yesterday evening personally called on the Dean to respond swiftly and with leadership, I’m very satisfied with her response. I'm also proud to be a graduate student in the Evans School.
27
@10, I think your "over it" comments are right on. I appreciate people thinking it's over the line, but... get over it. The hosts get it, I think.
And, ironically enough, the girl in the picture IS 1/16th Native American, though I don't recall the tribe. It's not Cherokee.
And, ironically enough, the girl in the picture IS 1/16th Native American, though I don't recall the tribe. It's not Cherokee.
28
Is it just me or does anyone else get confused when someone says Indian and then talks about Native Americans? Indians are from India.
29
@24
A closer paraphrase would be, "People who intentionally refuse to recognize irony in an effort to exploit social taboos are dicks."
The first letter even acknowledges the intention of the people who wrote the email -- it basically says that, because the emailer executed his or her ironic delivery poorly, the email has somehow crossed the line into racism. Which is just bullshit. A failure to convey irony or a failure to sell the irony when one says "nigger" doesn't make you a racist; thinking Black people are genetically or culturally inferior makes you a racist. And pretending not to know the difference makes you a dick.
A closer paraphrase would be, "People who intentionally refuse to recognize irony in an effort to exploit social taboos are dicks."
The first letter even acknowledges the intention of the people who wrote the email -- it basically says that, because the emailer executed his or her ironic delivery poorly, the email has somehow crossed the line into racism. Which is just bullshit. A failure to convey irony or a failure to sell the irony when one says "nigger" doesn't make you a racist; thinking Black people are genetically or culturally inferior makes you a racist. And pretending not to know the difference makes you a dick.
30
@ 28 It's just you if you get confused when people refer to Indians in the context of a post like this.
31
@29: No, I think your comment @20 is stupid, especially "most indians I know". Did you take a poll? Did you go around and cautiously ask them if you had their permission to celebrate Thanksgiving? I don't get your comment.
Who made you spokesperson for all indians? And, uh, way to backfill @20 by implying that none of them will disagree unless they dicks.
Who made you spokesperson for all indians? And, uh, way to backfill @20 by implying that none of them will disagree unless they dicks.
32
@31: "No, I think YOU'RE stupid."
You have convinced me sir. It is as though you were made out of impenetrable rubber, and your opponent fashioned from the most stubbornly adherent glue.
You have convinced me sir. It is as though you were made out of impenetrable rubber, and your opponent fashioned from the most stubbornly adherent glue.
33
@31
What the fuck is it with the reading comprehension problem on Slog lately?
No, I didn't take a poll. But I do make jokes about Custer and breaking treaties and alcoholism, and my Indian friends make pretty much the same kinds of jokes and don't mind when I do it. The Indians I've met who like to get wound up about this shit are pretty much the same personality type as vegans who never shut the fuck up about the suffering went into my sandwich -- they're a personality type that just enjoys having something to be a dick about.
Jesus fucking christ -- they had a convention. Didn't you hear? They voted. It was on all the news channels? What do you, live in a fucking cave somewhere or something?
What the fuck is it with the reading comprehension problem on Slog lately?
especially "most indians I know". Did you take a poll? Did you go around and cautiously ask them if you had their permission to celebrate Thanksgiving?
No, I didn't take a poll. But I do make jokes about Custer and breaking treaties and alcoholism, and my Indian friends make pretty much the same kinds of jokes and don't mind when I do it. The Indians I've met who like to get wound up about this shit are pretty much the same personality type as vegans who never shut the fuck up about the suffering went into my sandwich -- they're a personality type that just enjoys having something to be a dick about.
Who made you spokesperson for all indians?
Jesus fucking christ -- they had a convention. Didn't you hear? They voted. It was on all the news channels? What do you, live in a fucking cave somewhere or something?
34
@33: I wasn't invited to this convention, but I would have gladly polled the OMG REAL INDIANS(TM) I know if you didn't tell me about it. Glad to know you have permission to go around slagging off on indians from your indian friends. So giving, so loving to you, oh noble pale skin.
36
party's still on! if you'd like to attend please email racist.party@gmail.com with proof of your understanding of satire and/or nihilism in the context of systemic racism.
thanks!
thanks!
37
@34
Yes, because permission is the vital element -- I need permission to make obnoxious jokes and permission to celebrate thanksgiving.
Look, either you can tell the difference between actual racism and what might be called, at worst, racial insensitivity -- or you can't. You obviously can't. Or you choose to pretend the difference doesn't exist. Personally, I find that angle of analysis to be dickish.
Yes, because permission is the vital element -- I need permission to make obnoxious jokes and permission to celebrate thanksgiving.
Look, either you can tell the difference between actual racism and what might be called, at worst, racial insensitivity -- or you can't. You obviously can't. Or you choose to pretend the difference doesn't exist. Personally, I find that angle of analysis to be dickish.
38
@37: Actually, I find people who have to rationalize comments like yours have more than ample reason to do so. I can typically tell the difference between racism and basic stupidity, but I can also pick out the sick and weak of either pack from a mile away. You just happened to say "most of my indian friends" and backfilled with a judgment of the rest of them. That's not racist, of course; it's just stupid -- but plucking that particular string was all too lovely to pass up since you strike me as someone who unwittingly uses the "but I have black friends" fallacy an awful lot. 'cuz yer cool and you don't take guff from nobody, man.
And no, you don't need permission since we celebrate thanksgiving, too.
Have a lovely Genocide and Turkey Day.
And no, you don't need permission since we celebrate thanksgiving, too.
Have a lovely Genocide and Turkey Day.
39
Wow.
Just wow.
Somebody really put their blood-encrusted jackboot in their mouth when they thought up that one.
Just wow.
Somebody really put their blood-encrusted jackboot in their mouth when they thought up that one.
41
wow.
http://www.derailingfordummies.com/#back…
and
http://www.derailingfordummies.com/#over…
Judah is kind of an ignorant asswipe, no?
The Indians I've met who like to get wound up about this shit are pretty much the same personality type as vegans who never shut the fuck up about the suffering went into my sandwich -- they're a personality type that just enjoys having something to be a dick about.
wow.
http://www.derailingfordummies.com/#back…
and
http://www.derailingfordummies.com/#over…
Judah is kind of an ignorant asswipe, no?
42
Chicks dress up as "slutty Indians" for halloween and people laugh and someone tries to throw and "ironic" Thanksgiving party and all of a sudden people are up in arms. Get a life and F off, worry about you're own glass house. I say PARTY ON!
44
How does someone who doesn't know how to deploy an apostrophe (thank you, Baconpussy, for already pointing it out) get into graduate school?
45
@42- I've never seen a chick in a "slutty Indian" costume. Don't worry, I'd think she was being a fucking idiot if I did see it.
@37- Part of getting through life is learning to communicate clearly. If your attempts at irony entirely miss the mark and you get called on it and you just keep going, you're either socially retarded or you really weren't being ironic.
@37- Part of getting through life is learning to communicate clearly. If your attempts at irony entirely miss the mark and you get called on it and you just keep going, you're either socially retarded or you really weren't being ironic.
46
So... some lameass party invitation on a school listserv is worthy of a slog post, now?
(Also, people who try to be ironic meta-racism funny fail more often than not. Usually because they're not funny or interesting people to begin with, and trying to use that sort of humor as a crutch.)
That said, I view this as not so much a sign that more "sensitivity training" is needed, but a clear reminder that there are some people who are so tactless, privileged, and just plain dumb, that they'll embarrass themselves like this even at the "esteemed" Evans school.
(Also, people who try to be ironic meta-racism funny fail more often than not. Usually because they're not funny or interesting people to begin with, and trying to use that sort of humor as a crutch.)
That said, I view this as not so much a sign that more "sensitivity training" is needed, but a clear reminder that there are some people who are so tactless, privileged, and just plain dumb, that they'll embarrass themselves like this even at the "esteemed" Evans school.
47
As an Evans School alum that saw this e-mail come through the listserv and the response to it, I agree with Grant Blume that the Evans School did a great job responding.
I would like to point out that there weren't "dozens of e-mails" in response. A few e-mails were sent out, then the discussion was taken to a private Evans School online forum, followed by the forum today.
I'm not really sure why this deserved a Slog post. A student made a bad choice sending this out, but the response by the school was very appropriate.
Slow news day, The Stranger?
I would like to point out that there weren't "dozens of e-mails" in response. A few e-mails were sent out, then the discussion was taken to a private Evans School online forum, followed by the forum today.
I'm not really sure why this deserved a Slog post. A student made a bad choice sending this out, but the response by the school was very appropriate.
Slow news day, The Stranger?
48
@41
There's a great page on the ADL's website, that basically says that anyone who questions anything about the Holocaust -- ever -- is an anti-Semite. One way to win an argument is to just declare preemptively that anyone who argues with you is A) wrong and B) a racist/sexist/whateverist. You may notice -- but probably not -- that all I expressed was a subjective judgment: I think the people who flipped out about this party invitation (people I disagree with) are dicks. I find that kind of public furor, when even some of the people creating it admit that the whole thing was clearly meant as a joke, to be stupid and self-aggrandizing.
And, as to your charming Derailing for Dummies links, talk about backfilling (since you don't seem to be able to shut up about it); that site you linked to basically says, "1) First-hand experience with people from a given culture should be disregarded if it contradicts political correctness and 2) Failure to validate hysteria based on historical events, no matter how hyperbolic, is always wrong."
And, at the end of the day, you're just debating about how I'm debating. But you have yet to debate my actual point -- which is that there is a distinction between actual racism and just being obnoxious -- with anything other than name-calling and snotty remarks.
What the fuck is going on with the comments section of this blog lately. Did some Evergreen State College seminar course just decide to camp out here and re-run every tired fucking cliche from the age of spelling women with a "y"?
There's a great page on the ADL's website, that basically says that anyone who questions anything about the Holocaust -- ever -- is an anti-Semite. One way to win an argument is to just declare preemptively that anyone who argues with you is A) wrong and B) a racist/sexist/whateverist. You may notice -- but probably not -- that all I expressed was a subjective judgment: I think the people who flipped out about this party invitation (people I disagree with) are dicks. I find that kind of public furor, when even some of the people creating it admit that the whole thing was clearly meant as a joke, to be stupid and self-aggrandizing.
And, as to your charming Derailing for Dummies links, talk about backfilling (since you don't seem to be able to shut up about it); that site you linked to basically says, "1) First-hand experience with people from a given culture should be disregarded if it contradicts political correctness and 2) Failure to validate hysteria based on historical events, no matter how hyperbolic, is always wrong."
And, at the end of the day, you're just debating about how I'm debating. But you have yet to debate my actual point -- which is that there is a distinction between actual racism and just being obnoxious -- with anything other than name-calling and snotty remarks.
What the fuck is going on with the comments section of this blog lately. Did some Evergreen State College seminar course just decide to camp out here and re-run every tired fucking cliche from the age of spelling women with a "y"?
49
I'll let 5th Avenue know they can just forget about another run of the Producers.
I believe that the basic problem here was not going far enough with the theme. Were it called, for example, the Native Brain Cell Genocide Blanket Party and celebrated the rape of the entire North American Continent by Humans, I think that they could have risen above.
I believe that the basic problem here was not going far enough with the theme. Were it called, for example, the Native Brain Cell Genocide Blanket Party and celebrated the rape of the entire North American Continent by Humans, I think that they could have risen above.
50
why not give us the date, time, and address of this party that you weren't invited to, so that we can all show up?
journalisically (if that's what you call it), it isn't that far of a stretch.
journalisically (if that's what you call it), it isn't that far of a stretch.
51
@46: "Worthy" of a Slog post? I'm not sure I get what you're saying -- you think there's some kind of reason or rhyme to it? You don't get Slog.
Yeah, speaking as someone Chinese, I'd hate to be cited by someone as their "Asian friend." It's not even the racist humour, whatever, but the fact that that's what they're using me in their battle. Please don't race-drop me.
Yeah, speaking as someone Chinese, I'd hate to be cited by someone as their "Asian friend." It's not even the racist humour, whatever, but the fact that that's what they're using me in their battle. Please don't race-drop me.
54
To think that these individuals of "higher learning" are this country's so-called "leaders" of tomorrow is frightening enough and only proves to prepetuate the bogus rationale of "manifest destiny."
Some said it was done with "good intentions"?! If that's so, their delivery stinks. Nothing about this party was sensitive toward indigenous people of this continent and it certainly wasn't funny.
Some said it was done with "good intentions"?! If that's so, their delivery stinks. Nothing about this party was sensitive toward indigenous people of this continent and it certainly wasn't funny.
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