At the Latin American, Latino and Caribbean affinity house on Tuesday evening, about 25 students discussed the recent cancellation of “Phiesta,” a charity fundraiser planned by Alpha Phi sorority and Phi Delta Alpha fraternity.
Throughout the discussion, which was spirited at times, students disagreed about whether the event was offensive. Some contended that the event reduced Mexican culture to a stereotype, particularly because it was organized by historically white organizations, while others replied that some stereotyping is inevitable and the event was not intended offend.
“Phiesta” was canceled last week after students raised concerns about its theme, which they said appropriated Mexican culture. The decision to call off the event has sparked intense campus discussion, as some students and outside observers have argued that it was not offensive.
Daniela Hernandez ’15, who brought forward a complaint about the event’s theme and poster, reported being targeted online, while Noah Smith ’15 said he filed a bias incident report after he said he had a drink poured on his “Phiesta” T-shirt in Collis on Saturday night.
After canceling the event, A Phi and Phi Delt used a crowdfunding website to raise more than $7,700 for a cardiac health charity — over seven times the event’s initial goal.
Tuesday’s conversation, which was announced that afternoon by La Alianza Latina, began by addressing events surrounding the fundraiser’s cancellation. Students said that Hernandez did not ask for the event to be canceled but had raised concerns about its theme and poster, which featured an image of a Corona bottle and other references to Mexican culture.
Several attendees referenced Cinco de Mayo parties organized on campus in past years, which included students dressing up in costumes with sombreros and mustaches, they said.
Students stressed that no single person or identity can represent all Latinos or Latinas.
About halfway through the session, participants considered whether Oktoberfest or St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are equally offensive as the Cinco de Mayo parties that occur on college campuses nationwide. When several students noted that Irish people had suffered historical discrimination in the U.S., others responded that the inherent power dynamics involved with race might make “Phiesta” more offensive.
Near the end of the discussion, students assessed the backlash that canceling the event has created online, agreeing that Internet targeting is unacceptable.
Attendees interviewed expressed general approval of the discussion.
Jose Rodarte-Canales ’16 said he was surprised by the high turnout, adding that he appreciated that participants realized the importance of compassion.
“It’s not necessarily me against you,” Rodarte-Canales said. “It’s more understanding our different realities.”
Rodarte-Canales said he was hurt by the “Phiesta” theme, which he said displayed a lack of understanding of Mexican culture.
Alejandro Gomez-Barbosa ’14 stressed that campus polarization demands a “moderate middle,” which he said will help achieve progress.
Gomez-Barbosa said he was not offended by the event’s theme, and that canceling it because some considered it offensive could create a “slippery slope,” citing the Christmas tree erected on the Green each winter.
Geovanni Cuevas ’14 said the fundraiser should be considered through the lens of “space and place.”
“When you take things that are stereotypes, and you layer them on top of each other, you create a space that invites racial epithets,” he said. “You create a space that invites people to behave in a certain way that is embarrassing and disrespectful.”
Nick Blanco ’14 said he did not find the “Phiesta” theme insensitive, and he wanted to attend the dialogue to demonstrate that the offended parties do not represent all Latino and Latina students’ views.
The sensitive campus atmosphere, he said, contributed to the intensity of campus discussion after the event’s cancellation.
