Penn State Sorority Under Investigation for Racially Insensitive Photo
By: Mallory Lane
Updated: December 4, 2012
PENN STATE, UNIVERSITY PARK - A photo that surfaced on social media is causing an uproar on Penn State's University Park campus.
Chi Omega sorority posted a racially insensitive picture taken at a Mexican-themed Halloween party.
Some students at Penn State say they're indifferent to the picture taken by the sisters of Chi Omega, others say they're appalled.
"Trashy, stupid, inconsiderate more than anything else."
That's how Grant Berry describes this picture.
"It's just really grossly inappropriate in a lot of ways," Berry said.
The picture was first reported in an Onward State blog online and now, it's at the center of an investigation.
Senior Taylour Maietta says she sees themed parties at Penn State all the time.
"We've had Mexican parties, we've had Mexican food, things like that," she said. "We've never dressed up like that."
But Maietta says it's not the costumes that offend her the most.
"The signs are kind of what got me," Maietta said.
Two signs reading "Will mow lawn for weed and beer" and "I don't cut grass, I smoke it" are front and center in the picture.
"It could just be a Halloween party dressing up, but they went as far as the signs, that could be stepping over the line a little bit," Maietta said.
Grant Berry studies Spanish Linguistics. He describes the picture as appalling.
"The person who first taught me Spanish is actually from Mexico City. She doesn't have a mustache, she doesn't wear sombrero or a poncho," he said. "I would really recommend that people, rather than do things like this and generalize an entire group of people, spend some time, get on Wikipedia, learn a little bit about that culture. You're at a university, it might help you to study a little bit more."
The sisters of the Nu Gamma chapter of Chi Omega released a statement to WTAJ Tuesday saying they apologize for portraying the inappropriate stereotypes and the picture does not reflect the values of their organization.
A representative from Chi Omega's National Headquarters says at this time, final sanctions have not been finalized for the Chapter as the incident is still under investigation, but says their organization is working with Penn State's Panhellenic team to discuss educational directives for the chapter.
University Public Information Director, Lisa Powers, also released a statement Tuesday, saying "While these individuals are within their First Amendment rights to express themselves in this way, we are appalled that they would display this level of insensitivity....these costumes and this group do not represent fraternity and sorority life at Penn State, nor the 95,000 students who attend our university."
Chi Omega sorority posted a racially insensitive picture taken at a Mexican-themed Halloween party.
Some students at Penn State say they're indifferent to the picture taken by the sisters of Chi Omega, others say they're appalled.
"Trashy, stupid, inconsiderate more than anything else."
That's how Grant Berry describes this picture.
"It's just really grossly inappropriate in a lot of ways," Berry said.
The picture was first reported in an Onward State blog online and now, it's at the center of an investigation.
Senior Taylour Maietta says she sees themed parties at Penn State all the time.
"We've had Mexican parties, we've had Mexican food, things like that," she said. "We've never dressed up like that."
But Maietta says it's not the costumes that offend her the most.
"The signs are kind of what got me," Maietta said.
Two signs reading "Will mow lawn for weed and beer" and "I don't cut grass, I smoke it" are front and center in the picture.
"It could just be a Halloween party dressing up, but they went as far as the signs, that could be stepping over the line a little bit," Maietta said.
Grant Berry studies Spanish Linguistics. He describes the picture as appalling.
"The person who first taught me Spanish is actually from Mexico City. She doesn't have a mustache, she doesn't wear sombrero or a poncho," he said. "I would really recommend that people, rather than do things like this and generalize an entire group of people, spend some time, get on Wikipedia, learn a little bit about that culture. You're at a university, it might help you to study a little bit more."
The sisters of the Nu Gamma chapter of Chi Omega released a statement to WTAJ Tuesday saying they apologize for portraying the inappropriate stereotypes and the picture does not reflect the values of their organization.
A representative from Chi Omega's National Headquarters says at this time, final sanctions have not been finalized for the Chapter as the incident is still under investigation, but says their organization is working with Penn State's Panhellenic team to discuss educational directives for the chapter.
University Public Information Director, Lisa Powers, also released a statement Tuesday, saying "While these individuals are within their First Amendment rights to express themselves in this way, we are appalled that they would display this level of insensitivity....these costumes and this group do not represent fraternity and sorority life at Penn State, nor the 95,000 students who attend our university."
Comments
Girls will be girls...
FREDRICK F.
December 5, 2012 at 3:41 pm
