The continuing controversy over the so-called Tequila Party at Bowdoin College has taken a new turn in the form of a product line depicting Gen. Joshua Chamberlain wearing a sombrero with the phrase “Fijar Bayonetas” or “Fix Bayonets” across the top.
On Feb. 20, a party was held on campus where students wore sombreros, donned fake mustaches and drank tequila drawing complaints of cultural appropriation. The story has seen much local, state and national coverage, sparking conversations about culture, ethnicity and stereotyping.
The anonymous sellers, working on both Facebook and the website sombrerogate2016.com, are hawking tanks, T-shirts, posters and coffee cups bearing the image of the Civil War hero and former Bowdoin College president wearing a sombrero.
General’s famous order
The phrase “fix bayonets” refers to Chamberlain’s famous order during his defense of Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg.
The website calls their products, “Sombrero-inspired apparel and accessories featuring former Bowdoin president and Civil War hero Joshua Chamberlain donning the sombrero, which he was known to wear into battle as he lead the charge.”
An advertisement on the site urges shoppers to order today to save 10 percent by using the code “TEQUILA” when ordering.
The site is also attempting to use the Twitter hashtag “#sombrerogate” in its marketing. However, the term appears to have first been coined last fall, after University of Louisville President James Ramsey drew flack when he and his staff wore Halloween costumes featuring sombreros, maracas and fake mustaches. Ramsey later apologized.
dmcintire@timesrecord.com
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less