You must walk around campus with a bag over your head not to notice arising “ghetto-party”-related events and their consequences. Plastered not on page six, but on publications’ front pages forces University of Texas students to at least see these parties’ impact on the school body. Check out David Maly’s Daily Texan piece, “Mexican-themed sorority party raises concerns” for some context.

Now, I don’t see much of a problem with people choosing Mexican-inspired dresses, ponchos and sombreros, or mariachi outfits or costumes inspired by Selena for a Mexican-themed party. To my knowledge, these looks are considered totally fine on TV and during Halloween. People wear skimpy tanned leather skirts, turquoise and feathers in their hair when when attempting to dress like Pocahontas for Halloween, despite several cultural discrepancies.  On that same tangent, people wear lederhosen and kimonos when respective cultures don’t wear these on a daily basis.  Now, wearing shirts saying “Illegal” and “Border patrol” proves to be a different story.

What irritates me is that fraternities and sororities historically aimed to better their communities through philanthropy and other actions. I know they still do, but it’s events and decisions like these that hamper their credibility.

A post recently published on totalfratmove.com, “University of Texas, TriDelts, Zetas and ATOs Offend Easily Offended People with Fiesta Parties” seems to be the breaking point for indecency. According to the author, Bacon:

“The party’s “intent” and “message” are concerning people? I’m going to take a wild guess and say that the intent and message were “to get really fucked up” and “hey let’s all get really fucked up,” respectively.”

The quote not only questions whether or not the author understands the parties’ implications, but whether Greek organizations focus more on getting “really fucked up” or improving society.

What irritates me even more is how Greek life members are taking offense to recent publications’ stories questioning the “sorority” look: over-sized T-shirts, Nike shorts and the ever-so-colorful sneakers. Finding such articles offensive may perhaps serve as an eye-opener to how other students feel after disrespecting ethnicities. Take a look at Maria-Xenia Hardt’s Daily Texan piece discussing her encounter with the sorority-girl look upon arrival from Germany here.

We all attend UT. Supposedly, we all bleed burnt orange. Culturally-insensitive parties achieve nothing but alienation, weakening the fabric that holds students together. Let’s ditch the derogative stereotypes and don on more pleasant looks – not only for society’s betterment, but the future of our university.