When Parties Become Racialized: Deconstructing Racially Themed Parties

Documenting Attitudes toward Undocumented Immigrant Access to Public Education: A Multilevel Analysis

“…According to Sidanius and colleagues (2004), "among Whites, membership in fraternities and sororities appeared to produce even more ethnocentric, conflict-inducing, and exclusionary effects than membership in ethnic student organizations produced among minority students" (p. 107). Such attitudes within these groups may also result in a type of normative influence on views of immigrants, as observed by the sponsoring of racially themed parties, many of which have been directed toward and use negative stereotypes of immigrant communities (Garcia, Johnston, Garibay, Herrera, & Giraldo, 2011). Taken together, the findings suggest the importance of college experiences and contexts in predicting students' views toward supporting undocumented immigrants' access to public education.…”

“…Moreover, views and attitudes represent a critical aspect of the campus climate (Hurtado, Milem, Clayton-Pedersen, & Allen, 1998) and may influence behavior toward immigrants (Esses et al, 2005). Indeed, campus hate-or bias-motivated incidents adversely targeting undocumented immigrants have occurred on college campuses (Garcia et al, 2011;Phillips, 2007). Such incidents can trigger emotional responses by the targeted group and increase the potential for conflict between those on opposing sides (Garcia et al, 2011).…”

“…Indeed, campus hate-or bias-motivated incidents adversely targeting undocumented immigrants have occurred on college campuses (Garcia et al, 2011;Phillips, 2007). Such incidents can trigger emotional responses by the targeted group and increase the potential for conflict between those on opposing sides (Garcia et al, 2011). An institution's failure to address its campus climate related to undocumented immigrants may inhibit its ability to foster an educational environment conducive to learning and success for such students.…”

Whiteness in Higher Education: The Invisible Missing Link in Diversity and Racial Analyses

“…Greek fraternities and sororities are often at the center of what is referred to as racial theme parties or parties in which there is a theme that plays on popular stereotypes of racial groups. From an analysis of racial theme parties, Garcia, Johnston, Garibay, Herrera, and Giraldo () suggest that such parties are disproportionally held by Greek organizations. Racial theme parties might not be classified as a hate crime by the U.S. Department of Justice, but the parities send the message that Students of Color are not welcome in the university and actively promote negative stereotypes (Garcia et al., ).…”

“…From an analysis of racial theme parties, Garcia, Johnston, Garibay, Herrera, and Giraldo () suggest that such parties are disproportionally held by Greek organizations. Racial theme parties might not be classified as a hate crime by the U.S. Department of Justice, but the parities send the message that Students of Color are not welcome in the university and actively promote negative stereotypes (Garcia et al., ). Although fraternities and sororities may intend these events to be out of the public purview, photography and social media have demonstrated the prevalence of such events on campuses across the country.…”