Cambridge University cancels 'Around the World in 80 Days' theme party 'in case students dress in offensive costumes from other cultures'
♢Junior Parlour Committee wrote to students announcing the theme change
♢Claims themed costumes could lead to 'cultural appropriation' and offence
♢Other students argued the decision impedes their freedom of expression
♢Say it implies the student body isn't capable of dressing itself appropriately
♢Also a problem in the US where group of students face disciplinary action over photos of them wearing sombreros at a tequila party
Quote:
Cambridge University students have cancelled an Around The World In 80 Days-themed event over fears the costumes they choose to wear may be racially offensive.
Pembroke College's Junior Parlour Committee (JPC) feared that the theme could lead to 'cultural appropriation', with people wearing clothes from an ethnic group they don't belong to.
The move has been heavily criticised as the latest example of students taking a militant approach to political correctness and enforcing it on campuses across Britain and the U.S where last week students at a college in Maine were offered counselling after photos of people wearing mini sombreros at a tequila party emerged on social media.
Lots of students defended the 80 days theme as a way of appreciating cultural diversity and did not see it as an appropriative and racist idea.
One said: 'I don't feel that dressing up in costumes that celebrate cultural diversity should be reprimanded.
'Can't we take joy in spending an evening in the national dress of another country?
'This decision just serves to perpetuate the downward spiral of extreme political correctness that I feel universities across the world seem to be succumbing to.'
But many students defended the JCR's decision to change the theme, and said it was 'literally a way to minimise the risk of people of colour having a sh** night'.
Other supporters of the decision to change the name called on others to 'check their privilege' and stop whining about their freedoms when it was just a party.
Honestly, ya'll might think this is extra, but with the unimpressive history of white college students' and cultural-themed parties, I don't blame them for trying to cover their asses and make sure they don't end up on the evening news.
