A photo of a Penn State sorority has gone viral after a member posted it to Facebook and tagged other girls in it, and now the school is receiving some backlash over the content.
The photo shows the girls of Chi Omega Nu dressed in ponchos and sombreros for what they called a “Mexican fiesta” themed party around Halloween, complete with mustaches and hand-lettered signs which read, “Will mow lawn for weed and beer” and “I don’t cut grass, I smoke it”. The photo made the rounds on Facebook, with some calling it racist, and has now landed the sorority in some hot water under the backlash. Vice President of the Mexican American Student Association, Cesar Sanchez Lopez, issued a statement regarding the sorority’s choice of attire.
“The Mexican American Student Association is disappointed in the attire chosen by this sorority. It in no way represents our culture. Not only have they chosen to stereotype our culture with serapes and sombreros, but the insinuation about drug usage makes this image more offensive. Our country is plagued by a drug war that has led to the death of an estimated 50,000 people, which is nothing to be joked about.”
The sorority is now under investigation and has issued a statement about the incident:
“Our chapter of Chi Omega sincerely apologizes for portraying inappropriate and untrue stereotypes. The picture in question does not support any of Chi Omega’s values or reflect what the organization aspires to be.”
The college has had its share of controversy in the past year with the Jerry Sandusky/Joe Paterno investigation, so any news which can be construed as shedding a bad light on the school is sure to gain some detractors. Twitter has been abuzz today as users share their thoughts on whether the photo should be taken as a racist insult.
Penn State is doing a good job of staying in the news – “Sorority’s racist party photo stirs outcry on the Web” – http://t.co/Dlnl9ugp
And, if you’ll follow me over here, we have an entire Penn State sorority being incredibly racist: http://t.co/NrQn12mg
#PennState sorority holds a racist Mexican-themed party. It’s just what the institution needs! http://t.co/UYEefSwo
What a bunch of ignorant girls. “Racist Party Picture Lands Penn State Chi Omega Sorority In Hot Water” http://t.co/6ct3Obr3@LatinoVoices
If you don’t think what those sorority girls did was racist and ignorant, screw you. The comments on Facebook are vomit inducing.
Personally, that “racist” sorority photo doesn’t offend. I think it’s comical.
Interesting take on Mexicans from the Chi Omega ladies. Especially like the girls doing the finger stash. http://t.co/ndcAoltl
Racist Sorority pic posted on line… hey I was raised mexican but I am white… are y’all against me too? I am… http://t.co/ApvB9yTf
This isnt even that serious RT @VibeMagazine: Racist Penn State Sorority Photo Shocks Campus http://t.co/OWEuR0CM
Of course, this isn’t the first time someone has gotten themselves into trouble with a photo posted to Facebook; earlier this year, a Kentucky man uploaded a picture of himself stealing gas from a police car. Needless to say, it didn’t go over well. Also this year, a man beat a disabled person to death, took video of it, and uploaded it to the social media site.
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