When being too comfortable goes wrong.
UCLA students are angry and embroiled in controversy after a fraternity hosted a Kanye West-themed western party, which reportedly turned racist and included some participants wearing blackface.
The event, hosted by the Sigma Phi Epsilon frat and Alpha Phi sorority, had attendees dressed in baggy clothes, some with wore fake Kim Kardashian-themed big butts.
From the Los Angeles Times:
The Afrikan Student Union is planning to meet at noon Thursday at the campus’ Bruin Bear statue to address what it described as a racial incident. The group is urging students to wear black.
“Yes that’s right, a frat decided it would be okay to have their members repeat a part of history that demoralized, mocked and dehumanized African Americans/ And celebrate while doing it,” she wrote on Facebook. “They showed up with their chains and braids with stuffed butts for God knows what reason. True Bruin values amiright????!!!!! Not to mention all of this happened last night which happened to be a part of Black Bruin Welcome Week! Coincidence right??????”
Members of the black student union reportedly confronted fraternity members at the party, but got laughed at after asking for an apology.
“Everyone keep in mind that simply because I go to one of the top ranked institutions in the country, doesn’t mean I’m any farther away from ignorance and racism as anyone else. They just hide it behind frat/sorority themes, anonymous postings, and micro-aggressions,”
UCLA is investigating the incident and talking to students who were at the party on Tuesday night.
By Glenn Erby
