College students confront subtler forms of bias: slights and snubs

It looks like people are going around looking for ways to be offended.  Richard Medlock

USC junior Vanessa Diaz was raised in Dallas. But at a party two years ago, she was asked if she could speak English.

When Diaz became offended, the other student tried to pass off the question as a joke. But it did not amuse her, any more than the idea of Mexican-themed parties on Greek Row featuring students in sombreros and fake mustaches.

"Because of the society we live in, it's not OK to be overtly racist," Diaz said. "But that doesn't mean everything is OK."  Red more