Highland Park HS Thug Day in Dallas, TX

You see, hip-hop has come to define what "black" means to privileged white kids who live in affluent and homogenous bubbles such as Highland Park. Turn on BET or MTV late at night, or many hours of the day, and you'll find ample evidence of the distorted and too often degrading images being projected.
So it is no stretch for me to believe that the white kids who dressed as gang members and rap stars for Thug Day didn't really believe that their antics were racially insensitive. They see black youngsters celebrating that lifestyle every day – on TV if not in the streets of urban America.
Truth be told, many white kids these days are dressing like that anyway. They aren't wearing Afro wigs perhaps, but they are buying rap records and wearing baggy jeans to the hilt. The hip-hop culture, grounded in black culture, has gone worldwide.
It's no longer just a "black thang."
-James Ragland:Banning 'thugs' is only the start
Highland Park should look at issues deeper than a senior tradition

In October the senior class at Highland Park High School prepare for the usual Homecoming traditions. The predominantly white (94%) high school in Dallas, Texas has some quite different "traditions" than what most schools are used to. Apart from the usual mix-match, pajama, jersey, school color days, the students at Highland Park engage in Thug Day and Fiesta Day. Thug Day began three years ago as a prank and has emerge as a "tradition" at the school. However, the "prank" has taken on a form of overt racism in many people's eyes. Students wear dress emulating black entertainers in the music industry with afro wigs, gold fronts, gaudy chains, and the like. And further disrespect the Hispanic culture on Fiesta day by coming to school as yard workers and maids. The school has not sanctioned this activity, and is taking measures to insure that this "tradition" is discontinued. Please comment on this issue and especially the quote above taken from an editorial. Mr. Ragland makes a valid point of where were the parents in this fiasco. I would also like you to comment on this. As always no vulgarity and make valid substantial points backed with good arguments.