Two Dartmouth Greek Frat Houses Host A “Bloods And Crips” “Ghetto” Party http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=704773583053239594#allposts

Posted on August 15th, 2013 

Via HuffPo reports:

A fraternity and a sorority at Dartmouth College are facing backlash over a “Bloods and Crips”-themed party held this summer.

Dartblog reported on Wednesday that the Alpha Delta fraternity at the New Hampshire Ivy League school cohosted the party on July 26 with the Delta Delta Delta sorority. They invited attendees to dress up as either a Blood or Crip, referring to the notorious, predominately black street gangs based in Los Angeles.

In an email shared with The Huffington Post, a student who is currently on campus for sophomore summer describes the party. It is unclear to whom the student sent the email:

I work very closely with OPAL as an intern with the (redacted). We’ve received word that two weekends ago, Tri-Delta Sorority and Alpha Delta hosted a Bloods and Crips Party at AD. Individuals mingled for hours while dressed as bloods or crips while using racialized language. It then turned into a “ghetto party” with racialized language, speech and dress. Over 200 individuals attended this event.

The invitation sent to various students between the social chairs of AD [Alpha Delta] is attached. It was also sent by OPAL [Office of Pluralism and Leadership] to the Office Dean of the College and other Administrative officials . [sic]
ad party

Some students have been fuming online about the party since they found out. A Dartmouth alum wrote on a message thread in the private group for the Afro-American Society, “We do not know if a hateful or offensive slur was said. However, it does not matter. The whole party was a offensive slur [sic].”

As Gawker points out, Alpha Delta is the frat on which the movie “Animal House” was largely based.

Alpha Delta acknowledged the party in a statement issued to Dartblog on Wednesday:

Alpha Delta hosted a “Bloods and Crips Party” on the night of Friday, July 26th. The idea was never meant to be derogatory to any group, and was intended to introduce a costume theme to the party. While there was never any ill intent in the party’s theme, the brothers of Alpha Delta now realize that it was insensitive and thoughtless to make light of a very serious issue that affects many people nationwide, particularly young people. Gang violence is obviously an incredibly serious problem across America, and while we as a house failed to preemptively recognize the offensive nature of the party’s theme, the gravity of our oversight is now apparent to us.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Tri-Delta sorority provided an apology for the event to HuffPost:

We would like to extend our sincerest apology to the Dartmouth community and all those offended by the inappropriately themed recent event in which some of our members participated. We will be working with the college and Tri Delta Executive Office in order to continue to educate our members regarding cultural sensitivity and awareness.

The Alpha Delta fraternity went on to say members personally apologized to someone who was offended, and that they now realize the party was “objectively offensive.” The fraternity insisted, however, the term “ghetto party” was never used, and:

“was coined by administrators after the party took place. This is a patently false term that was attributed after the fact in emails within the administration.”

Photos via VICE/WordPress