The Black Student Union held an open discussion Monday night addressing the recent issue of racially-themed parties, especially ones attended by people dressed in blackface.
Approximately 100 students gathered in Smith Hall to express their opinions about these parties and to hear what other students think should be or can be done.
Senior Desiree Norwood, first vice president of the BSU, said the event was held to educate students on how people have reacted to these parties and the repercussions of this form of racism.
"I hope students learn the historical implications of these actions," Norwood said. "I hope they think a little more before they throw a party like this."
The presentation began with a slideshow of white performers in blackface. It then moved into recent photos from college campuses of students at parties dressed in blackface standing next to another student dressed like a Ku Klux Klan member, pretending to hang the person, to white people dressed in Hip-hop attire eating fried chicken.
Pictures were shown from parties at University of Oklahoma, Auburn University, Clemson University, Tarleton State University and other colleges depicting racial stereotypes and the KKK.
Norwood said while doing research for the discussion she heard from students who had attended parties like the ones causing national controversy at the university.
BSU members posed open questions to the audience to discuss how people feel about the topic and what can be done to prevent these types of parties.
Jeremiah Guy, BSU junior class representative, posed a question about people at parties dressed up in Hip-hop attire, making fun of a black stereotype.
"Is someone, say a Caucasian growing up in a primarily Caucasian neighborhood with not that many blacks, still accountable for their actions even though they may be depicting what they see on TV?" Guy said. "Who's at fault?"
Students responded in different ways, bringing up the idea that it is a double standard when someone makes fun of their own race but takes offense to a person of a different race saying the same thing. The panel brought Chris Rock and Carlos Mencia into the discussion - two comedians who thrive off of poking fun at their own society.
Junior Frankie Heyward said comedians may have earned the right to make fun of their own culture but it is a double standard to take offense to someone of a different race making the same joke.
"We have to consider the intent," Heyward said.
Norwood said students participating in these "ghetto or Hip-hop" stereotype parties are ignorant to the culture they are emulating but when it crosses over into blackface the joke has gone too far.
"In some cases these parties are racist," she said. "Painting your face black is definitely racism."
Senior Twanna Howard, BSU president, said she hoped that when students see racist images that make them uncomfortable they will make their opinions heard.
"We are being educated to be leaders," Howard said. "Hopefully students will speak out about change."
She said if people are using ignorance as justification for their actions they are still guilty of being racist.
"Ignorance is a form of racism," Howard said.
As for what students can do about preventing these parties or educating people about how these actions can be hurtful, she said the first step is educating yourself and be willing to be part of the change.
"Change has to start within yourself before it can start within others," Howard said.
Junior Justin Melis said it was good to learn what other people felt about the topic of racially-themed parties and saw how these issues affect the whole student community.
"As a minority things like this have happened before, but it is disgusting that it is still happening," Melis said. "People think ignorance is an excuse to go unpunished."
Sophomore Avi Behar said students should not be punished for attending a party with racial stereotypes.
"It is freedom of speech, they can do what they want," Behar said. "Even though what they do may be ignorant."
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