A predominately white fraternity at Clemson University in South Carolina recently held a "gangsta" party where white partygoers wore baggy clothes and "bling" like that often worn by hip-hop and rap artists, according to The Associated Press. One male partygoer showed up in blackface and a female padded her butt to achieve a stereotype of the black female body, the AP also reported.
Obviously, showing up to a party in blackface is absolutely wrong, even if the partygoer thought he was being amusing. Blackface was used by whites as early as 1789 to parody blacks, and it's unfortunate to think that such racist practices are still present in our society-although sadly, it's no secret they are.
Maybe the students involved thought it was funny and failed to see the cruelty behind their actions. Or maybe because our generation was raised on politically correct assertions that racism shouldn't-and therefore doesn't-exist, it's easy for us to crack jokes without realizing their very real implications.
Living in a city like D.C., where divisions of black and white are so starkly manifested, and attending a school that prides itself on diversity and respect, forces AU students to be particularly sensitive to issues of race. We're glad we go to a school that makes headlines for service and international awareness instead of insensitivity.
