Lets Talk: UCLA's 'Kanye Western' Party

Recent In college news: students in the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter at UCLA hosted a "Kanye Western" themed party, which took a turn for the worst when rumors emerged claiming there were students present in black face.
Now, I am not going to attack any of the students involved with the theme of this party, because realistically from an obtuse angle it sounds like an equally fun and satirical idea for a party to mock one of Hollywood's biggest icons (and eyesores).
So, no I am not angered by the theme or even the Sorority and Fraternity in question. That being said, there has to be a level of judgment when assessing how easily something can turn offensive or even get twisted around to sound offensive to other groups of people. For example, throwing a Hitler themed party sounds pretty hilarious until someone shows up with a swastika and the Jewish student union and possibly the nation of Israel is on your back.
Regarding the claims of blackface there has been no known evidence surfaced to say that actions of that kind actually took place. But that is not to say it isn't being carefully hidden. UCLA as a whole is under some heat for having a shocking number of discriminatory events happen to the school in the past 5 years. Students are becoming increasingly 
frustrated with the challenges they are facing at what is thought to be a pretty liberal and diverse school.

So what now? Well, its not time to point the finger, to blame an entire group of people or to separate yourself in an act of self preservation. It is time more than ever to establish a basic line of communication across all campuses throughout different social and ethnic circles.
The back lash from the Black student organization's that came just hours after this party shows that there was already a tense relationship between the two groups. College does not have to be completely separate, schools do not have to be divided. We spend so much time concerned about what we have in common with small groups of people that we miss the similarities between the hundreds you stand next to each day.
It is easy to be mad and point the finger at anything we may take offense to. But we must own up to the fact that as students we tend to segregate ourselves a lot with clubs, organizations and sometimes entire dormitories. You will never have the complete respect and understanding of someone you don't know or even take the time to know nor can you expect them to care.
While I am not angry at the UCLA's Sigma Phi Epsilon I do acknowledge the fact that I was not there and I cannot feel the same emotion as those that were present. But from where I am sitting I forgive them, we all make mistakes, the real test is weather or not you learn from it.