The Daily Collegian has discussed how the Panhellenic Council, the Latino students’ caucus and the national headquarters of Chi Omega each weighed in on a picture that surfaced with Chi Omega sorority girls wearing sombreros and mustaches. A representative from the Latino Caucus responded that as a group, Latinos are about more than just sombreros and mustaches. This is obviously true, but there isn’t anything wrong with sombreros or mustaches, any more than associating wooden shoes with the Dutch or tea and crumpets with the British.
There is clearly a big problem with what these girls have done, but I don’t think it’s been touched on. There is a stereotype that Latino people mow lawns. Why?
Maybe, because as an immigrant, documented or not, it can be difficult to find employment and the people hiring already speak Spanish.
Maybe a lot of them came from fertile lands and were already skilled. I don’t know.
What I do know is that it’s a hard job and it doesn’t pay well, and, despite this fact, there are countless Hispanic people struggling with that reality daily. Shame on all of us for mostly ignoring this fact, but shame especially on the Chi Omega girls for taking the time to flaunt your position of power.
Naomi Zewde
graduate-health policy and administration
