It’s never too early in October (or in the year, period), for a solid dose of blackface, apparently.
According to the Los Angeles Times, a “Kanye Western”-themed frat party at UCLA is prompting student protests after some partygoers showed up wearing blackface—because of course they would. Cute theme name, not-so-cute theme attire.
The party, hosted by Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and Alpha Phi Sorority, had some students wearing baggy clothes, dressed like the Kardashians or in blackface, with charcoal smeared across their cheeks and foreheads.
As photographs of this party appeared on social media, students began expressing their concerns over the racist overtones and the mockery of black culture, prompting the hashtag #BlackBruinsMatter.
According to the Times, the Afrikan Student Union is planning a meeting Thursday at the Bruin Bear statue on campus to address the incident and is urging students to wear black in protest.
One student, the Times notes, said that she was disappointed at the way campus officials are handling the incident.
“Yes that’s right, a frat decided it would be okay to have their members repeat a part of history that demoralized, mocked and dehumanized African Americans/ And celebrate while doing it,” she wrote on Facebook. “They showed up with their chains and braids with stuffed butts for God knows what reason. True Bruin values amiright????!!!!! Not to mention all of this happened last night which happened to be a part of Black Bruin Welcome Week! Coincidence right??????”
UCLA said that it is looking into the party and speaking with students. “While we do not yet have all the facts, the alleged behavior is inconsistent with good judgment as well as our principles of community,” UCLA told a local station, the Times notes.
The UCLA chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon has been suspended, according to its national office, while the party is investigated.
“Building diverse and inclusive communities is core to our identity as an organization, and we have zero tolerance for racist behavior,” spokesman Beaux Carriere said in a statement, according to the Times. “Sigma Phi Epsilon will continue to work with the university and UCLA community to investigate these claims and hold students accountable for any inappropriate behavior.”
Read more at the Los Angeles Times.