The Daily Bruin would like to apologize for a Mojo blog post that was published Monday night.
The post, originally entitled “The Seven Easiest Costumes Ever that will Get You $3 Chipotle on Halloween,” included a GIF of a man – dressed in a sombrero, poncho and fake mustache – that read, “Holy Burrito.” The post also included “Dia de los Muertos” as one of the seven costume themes.
In reducing a solemn day of remembrance to a wardrobe choice, allowing a racially insensitive caricature to appear on our blog and removing the offending portion of the post without explanation, the Daily Bruin has gravely failed its readers.
This is unacceptable, particularly for an institution whose mission is to be a beacon of truth and information within the community, and it requires greater accountability. It requires more from editors who either did not read the piece or did not speak up. It requires more from the copy editor who took issue with the piece but did not inform her superiors until after it had been published. And, most importantly, these actions have consequences.
Effective immediately, The Bruin’s Mojo editor has been relieved of duty. The piece’s writer has been suspended for four weeks and the entire Daily Bruin staff will be required to attend diversity and sensitivity training in the coming weeks.
Ignorant commentary like this cannot be tolerated. A systematic change needs to take place, and it starts here.
Halloween is a privileged holiday. The oppressed cannot escape their identity by donning costumes. #ch3ckyourpr1vilege