The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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SMU reviewing ‘racially offensive’ Greek party

SMU+reviewing+racially+offensive+Greek+party

SMU announced Thursday it is looking into the planning of a “racially offensive” party by two fraternities.

AEPi and PIKE had scheduled the “Ice Age” party for Nov. 20, posting the event on Facebook Tuesday. The party has since been canceled and the post has been deleted.

The Facebook event included a picture of a black man wearing sunglasses with gold teeth and a gold chain in his mouth. The party description told attendees to bring their “bling, jerseys, and inner thug.”

ICEAGE.jpg
A screenshot of the Facebook event page on mobile.

Proceeds from ticket sales for the off-campus party were to be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Dallas.

President R. Gerald Turner released a statement Thursday regarding the incident.

“This party was not sanctioned by SMU, and this incident is under review by the University,” Turner said. “It is simply unacceptable for any campus group or individual to employ images and language that promote negative stereotypes and are demeaning to the dignity of any member of our campus community.”

Garrett Fisher was elected as African-American Senator for Student Senate. He posted his reaction as a letter to the party organizers on Facebook.

“African Americans do not get the convenience of escaping the harmful effects of these stereotypes after parties like yours are over. Instead we have to deal with them on a daily basis, whether we feel like it or not,” Fisher said in the post. “I challenge you all to consider SMU’s values when planning your next event, hopefully one that is neither demeaning nor contributes to a toxic campus community.”

The #blackatsmu hashtag on Twitter has also been filling with comments on this event. Here are a few reactions:

https://twitter.com/JQMTC23/status/659857948865204225

https://twitter.com/ashleyisles_/status/659840180560334848

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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