The University of Michigan chapter of Theta Xi fraternity is currently under fire for now-cancelled plans to host a "hood ratchet" party after several students complained to the school administration, reports the Michigan Daily, the school's student-run newspaper.
The invitation to the party was advertised on Facebook along with a photo of white women twerking on a wall and promises of "bad b****es, white girls, basketball players, thugs and gangsters" and "ratchet p***y."
According to information captured and posted to Reddit before it was removed from Facebook, the party invitation also promised that "hood IDs" would be checked at the door and guests would have exclusive access to "Drake's tears."
The chapter's National headquarters has since banned the U of M Theta Xi from all social events until future notice as the school launches a formal investigation.
"It was very important that we all get together and discuss the impact this unfortunate event has had on the University community, as well as our expectations moving forward," University of Michigan Dean of Students, Laura Blake Jones, told the Michigan Daily. "Obviously, the way the party was both conceived of and executed is in direct contradiction to the standards of our university."
Many students of color came forward to file formal complaints as they were personally offended by the party invitation and theme.
"I love U of M and even today I'm fundamentally happy, but it's scary to think that I sit in class with people who think this way and people that agree with them, people who legitimately thought this party was a good idea and was okay," Black Student Union secretary, Geralyn Gaines, told the Michigan Daily. "The invitation amplified stereotypes and used a level of disgusting language that it was evident they actively tried to offend us."
Fraternity member Allen Wu responded with an op-ed piece for the Daily, insisting that the party had been meant to "celebrate hip-hop" while both defending and apologizing for his brothers' misguided choice of theme.
"I would like to sincerely apologize for any negative emotions that you and any other offended members of the community may have felt," Wu wrote. "Let me be the first to admit that the party's theme and the language used in the event description were insensitive and distasteful."
He then went on to accuse mainstream hip-hop of glorifying "sexist and superficial themes" but claimed he in no way meant to appropriate black culture.
"I wish that we lived in an age where we as people could collectively celebrate the music that we consume without aggravating racial sensitivities," Wu wrote. "As a fellow minority, I sympathize with you for the racial prejudice leveled against you. I could never pretend to understand what you face. But as someone who has experienced firsthand how racism, whether blatant or subtle, can affect our emotions and livelihood, I apologize for any hurt that I've caused in our community."
