By Melissa Martinez

News Editor

Photos of members of the sorority Alpha Chi Omega (AXO) have surfaced portraying the women as “cholas,” and Latina gang members, upsetting many students on campus. The photos, taken during a spring break retreat, were posted on the popular smartphone app, InstaGram as well as Facebook.

Since then, the photos went viral through students at CSUSM, sorority members and the rest of Greek life has received scrutiny for displaying racism and sexism at CSUSM. Currently, 33 percent of students at CSUSM are Hispanic or Latino/a.

Student Julia Barnes feels that students should converse and discuss the issue, instead of raising scrutiny to Greek life. “I’m not sure when the conversation stopped and the mudslinging began,” Barnes said.

Co-chair of Standing Together As oNe Dream (STAND), a student immigrant-rights organization, Rodrigo Gonzalez said, “The photos taken by members of Alpha Chi Omega are offensive because they are founded in acting like, in this case, a community of people who really exist, that is stereotyped due to prejudice. When a culture is misunderstood and invisible, or only visible in negative portrayals, it is deemed harmless to dress up like them. The photos are offensive because members of Alpha Chi Omega thought it would be funny to perform or play a part which is reinforcing of objectifying and dehumanizing a peoples culture just because it is not/does not adhere to mainstream or normalized standards of beauty, dress, or overall appearance.”

Megan Koellin, President of Alpha Chi Omega, issued an apology at a meeting held April 30 organized by Latino students.

“We apologize from the bottom of our hearts,” Koellin said. “It was a mistake and a lack of education on our part.”

Though the Greek community has been advised not to comment, debate between multiple students and groups of how offensive the photos are has begun. Student Kharina Miramontes, who identifies as half-Mexican, doesn’t find the photos offensive.

“I guess it’s expected that I take this whole thing really offensively or whatever, but I don’t. To me, it’s just another stereotype that people use. Nobody complains when people use a ‘nerd’ theme; the only difference is this is a racial issue and people are easily riled by it,” Miramontes said.

Debate has been surfacing of whether this incident could have been avoided.

“At the same time, though, I think it was stupid of them, the sorority, to do this theme. They should have known better. They’re representing not just a sorority, but our school, which is predominantly Latino,” Miramontes said. “While it may not offend everyone and may have been all in good fun, they should know that it’s going to rub a lot of people the wrong way, and considering that they have to remain somewhat reputable, I’m pretty shocked they didn’t have the forethought to think this one through.”

The photos also contained “hashtags” supporting racial stereotypes, such as “#TheStruggleIsReal.”

“Not only are they dismissing the struggle gang members go through as an unaccepted and demonized subculture but also the struggle its community goes through on a day to day basis,” Gonzalez said.

Resident Advisor and graduating senior Eric Green said, “CSUSM is a campus that prides itself on civility and social justice. Disappointingly, I am seeing the maintenance of these ideals lacking in its Greek community, which has a huge and pervasive influence on campus.”

Green recognizes the step that student Alma Martinez and the other who reported the photos initially.

“I applaud the person who had the courage to step up and call out the organization who allows its members to wear other people’s identity as a costume. Had Alma Martinez not done so, then no one else would have,” Green said. “Things like this matter and it should not be brushed off like it’s trivial. In today’s climate, many oppressed minorities are feeling empowered and will not take a blatant display of ignorance and disrespect to their culture and identity go by without raising awareness.”

At the meeting held last week, Latino/a student representatives suggested that AXO should go unrecognized for a year to reflect on their actions some of the members made to empower their chapter as a whole to prevent further incidents like this from reoccurring. “Otherwise, these types of offenses will keep happening as they have on this campus in the past,” Gonzalez said.

Latino/a students collectively agreed stating, “We have learned that we cannot prevent these incidents from happening, but what we can do is come together and make sure that there are policies in place, disciplinary policies are in place, necessary cultural diversity requirements for GE are begun, mandatory social justice trainings are held for departments, student organizations, and Greek life. If we are a campus that prides itself on social justice in our mission and vision, we need to start acting like it, creating effective changes, not just having discussions about it.”

“Moving forward, even though CSUSM promotes civility and promotes a broad range of diversity, things like this are still able to happen,” Green said. “It seems that there is a lack of appreciation among the students which really puts CSUSM’s efforts in vain. This was a learning experience for all parties involved.”

Interim Associate Dean for Student Life and Leadership, Gregory Toya Ed.D. states, “Students, staff, faculty, and administration will continue to collaborate to institutionalize educational programs and bias response systems to decrease and respond to future bias-related incidents. Prior to the incident, Student Life & Leadership partnered with the Cross-Cultural and LGBTQA Pride Centers to offer diversity educational workshops for fraternity and sorority members. Student Life & Leadership will continue to partner with the Cross-Cultural Center, LGBTQA Pride Center, Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Educational Equity and other campus entities to implement educational programs that increase campus community member awareness, knowledge, and skills regarding diversity, inclusion, educational equity, and social justice issues.”