Duke Students Protest against Kappa Sigma Racist Asian Party

The parent organization of Kappa Sigma Fraternity has suspended its chapter at Duke University on Wednesday after it hosted a racist Asian party.

Asian stereotypes such as references to drinking sake; saying 'Herro' instead of 'Hello'; wearing sumo and geisha costumes; kimonos, conical hats and chopsticks in the hair, et al featured at the party on Friday.

"The Kappa Sigma Fraternity finds that the actions which have been associated with this event are inappropriate and insensitive and Kappa Sigma does not condone such activity," Kappa Sigma executive director, Mitchell Wilson told San Francisco Gate.

Around 200 students from the university's Asian student group gathered Wednesday to protest the fraternity's actions.

The party was originally called 'Asia Prime' and was later changed to 'International Relations' after students expressed their dissent.

Despite the change in name, the party was still Asian themed.

Earlier, Duke's Fraternity sent out invitations for the party - 'Kappa Sigma Asia Prime'- through e-mails and fliers.

The invitation began with 'Herro Nice Duke Peopre!!"

"We are proud to announce the return of Kappa Sigma Asia Prime, this Friday! We look forward to having Mi, Yu, You, and Yo Friends...over for some Sake."

It ends with 'Chank You, The Brothers of Kappa Sigma.'

Duke senior Ting-Ting Zhou, president of the Asian Students Association told News Observer. "Other students can pretend to be Asian for this one night, for this one party, but I have to be Asian my whole life. It trivializes me! It makes me feel like less than a human being."

Wilson, told the newspaper that an investigation has been initiated and should finish in about two weeks.

"This is a disappointing reminder that, despite our considerable efforts to educate students about cultural sensitivities, we have much work yet to be done," Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs at Duke University, told HuffPost.

Duke Kappa Sigma Fraternity returned to campus only last year. It was earlier suspended in 2002 due to certain policy violations.