Melissa Swabacker Responds To The Border Party Story
27 January 2009, 9:59 PM. By Cindy Casares
Tulane Student Bar Association President Melissa Swabacker (pictured at left) responded to that border party story we published last Thursday. If you haven’t read the story yet, let us ’splain. No, not enough time. Let us summarize.
Melissa threw a private birthday party with a “border” theme for a schoolmate from Texas who is not Mexican. Everyone at the party came dressed as Mexican caricatures from mustachioed sombrero wearing types to cholos and border patrol agents, (one person also donned a mysterious, pink, synthetic glove.) Photos from the party were posted online, allegedly by Melissa herself, and offended fellow students sent them to us. After our story on the party appeared, an intense debate broke out in the the comments section with some people saying the party was no big deal and others claiming they were offended. Shortly after, Melissa published this statement on the school intranet:
I want to express my sincere apologies for both my actions and the ramifications that they have caused. I truly did not mean any offense by the party and exercised a complete lack of judgment when deciding to co-host it. As a student leader, I should hold myself to a higher standard and failed miserably in this instance. Again, I want to reiterate that I did not mean anything offensive by it and I didn’t consider the implications that it may have on others. I deeply regret the hurt that I have caused and the negative light the school has been cast in.
Image [The Greek Wave]
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Psh, yeah, see if I ever allow my kids to apply to Tulane. God forbid I have a son with a mustache who happens to like broadly-brimmed hats.
Wait - is this a post from someone from that school, who thinks racism is ok?
It makes the entire community look bad to tolerate this racism.
Haha, yeah next time don’t get caught.
Not sure I would hit it - looks puffy. Can you say “Carb Face!”?
That’s just rude. Who said she’d “hit” you? Send us your picture so we can judge.
Good, now she can move on to other things. Like throwing that Slanty Eyes, Buckteeth, and Chopstick party she’s been eager to throw.
I think the funny part of this whole situation is that now she can claim she learned her lesson and will be more sensitive to other cultures. We get a public apology but the question should be what is she saying in private. I would love to be a fly on the wall as she and her friends tried to came up with a good way to explain the pictures. ” Silly wetbacks .We like them cuz they gave us margaritas, corona beer , and i love chimichangas!” I worked in large company years ago and it was full of people like miss Swabacker. People who made well over six figures a year and highly educated would ask the dumbest questions. For example what part of Mexico was i from( i was born in PA and speak perfect english ), Do i know any good Mexican restaurants( as we are having lunch in a sushi bar). The best one was where did I learn to speak such good english. There are many people in this world just like Miss Swabacker and unfortunately there is nothing we can do about. They get caught saying or doing something inappropriate and we are just supposed to accept their apology. I do not agree with that. Just because you and your friends got caught dressed as mexican stereotypes we should accept that. FUCK THAT. She and her friends should have dressed up in wifebeaters and mullets and had a whitetrash TRAILER PARK party because that is what Miss Swabacker and accomplices really are.
Grendel
Grendel, you might enjoy this:
http://guanabee.com/2007/12/stuff-this-in-our-stocking-please-were-totes-in-love-with-this-tote
I carry mine around every day.
“wifebeaters and mullets and had a whitetrash TRAILER PARK party “…um, yeah, poor white people = bad, because that’s not a stereotype at all, you horrible, ignorant, judgmental troll.
@Latin_Princess LOL, love it But would be kinda strange to see a thirty year old shaved head ex-cholo carrying that tote bag. Now if they made a black t-shirt i might.
Grendel
So the word of the day for all of you posters is “forgiveness”. Every person reading this has said something hurtful to another. It may not have been about race, but maybe weight, looks, itelligence, social class, or any number of things. We have all done hurtful things to another. The only way we survive is to forgive. That is the only way two people, or two groups or two different ethnicities can co-exist. This girl made a mistake, forgive her. Let her learn from it. Pray that someone does the same for you some day.
The truth is though - I think that some people want to hate and want a reason to hate. That is what I think of when I read a lot of these posts. You think her racism justifies yours. Her ignorance justifes your cruelty. It doesn’t though.
ps. I am a white male between the ages of 25 and 35 if that matters too you. It shouldn’t though.
I am white too, and I for one don’t feel Miss Law Student deserves any slack. Dumbass.
@guest
“wifebeaters and mullets and had a whitetrash TRAILER PARK party “…um, yeah, poor white people = bad, because that’s not a stereotype at all, you horrible, ignorant, judgmental troll.———————————————————— obviously i hit a nerve and a I hurt you feelings. Te seguro que eres un gringo(a). That’s OK I forgive you for being totally ignorant to the real world. Hey! Wait a minute are you miss Swabacker???!!!!