SAN LUIS OBISPO – California Polytechnic State University administrators have launched a “cultural insensitivity and sexism” investigation into a recent “Colonial Bros and Nava-hos”-themed Thanksgiving fraternity-sorority party in which male students donned colonial-era outfits and female students dressed as sexy, scantily clad Native Americans.
“Cal Poly is currently reviewing an off-campus party that occurred on Nov. 16 that may have included culturally insensitive, sexist, and offensive behavior,” campus officials state on their website. “While the gathering was held off campus, the university takes diversity and inclusivity very seriously. Behavior that threatens these important principles is unacceptable and has no place in the Cal Poly community.”
“Review … results will be disclosed in a timely manner once it is concluded.”
Reaction to the party and the probe has been mixed.
Navajo Jennifer Rose Denetdale, associate professor of American Studies at the University of New Mexico, condemned the party theme in an Indian Country op-ed as akin to suggesting “it is not possible to rape or sexually assault Navajo women, because they are inherently rapable.” Keep Reading