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September 20, 2011

ASU Students in Black Face Cheer On Football Sun Devils – Racist or Just Insensitive?

By Cate Blouke

<p>Arizona State University fans turn out for the first game in blackface.</p>

Arizona State University fans turn out for the first game in blackface.

When Arizona State University unveiled its new Nike-endorsed uniforms last week, everybody was really worried how the all-black outfits would fare in the Arizona heat.  That is, until a few ardent fans showed up to the first Sun Devils game in blackface, either forgetting or ignoring hundreds of years of racial tension and American history.

Granted, ASU asked for it – they invited their fans to “come dressed in black” to the season’s first game, and a Facebook campaign rallied students to “black out” the stadium.  While only a handful of students (and by all accounts female students) went so far as to paint their faces black, the event has earned Arizona some unflattering associations with The Jazz Singer.

Culled from ESPN’s coverage of the game, the image above is particularly grotesque for the stark contrast between the female student’s white-blonde hair and her black face paint.  Despite covering her lips with the paint, the open-mouthed, white-toothed grin that the camera captured is all-too reminiscent of historic blackface routines. (Here’s an slightly different crowd shot here.)

Perhaps this wouldn’t be so controversial if the university in question weren’t located in a state already earning itself a reputation for intolerance and insensitivity (with Sherrif Joe Arpaio on duty and immigration law SB1070 on the books), and if ASU hadn’t caught flak in 2009 for denying President Obama their customary honorary degree.

While I was initially inclined to give the kids the benefit of the doubt, assuming that they (sadly) “didn’t know better,” Robert Littal astutely points out in his post to BlackSportsOnline, that the pre-game discussion on the ASU forum reveals at least some awareness of the cultural implications of blackface.

Though many of the comments are in characteristically teenage poor taste (user Devilstyle notes that “the only people that would have problems with [blackface] are idiot morons”), the students largely seem to wonder what makes the color black so taboo.  Apparently these youngsters, now two generations from the civil rights movement, simply feel like race “isn’t an issue anymore” – which strikes me as the more pervasive and invisible racism of the 21st century.  Dr. Boyce Watkins blames it on education, and I’m inclined to agree – particularly given user Devilution’s assertion that “ Being called a racist is a badge of honor these days… [it] has less to do with skin color than with expressing a different opinion.”

– Cate Blouke

(screengrab: ESPN)

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  • http://profiles.google.com/ac.missias AC Missias

    I do feel that the fact that they painted their chests and arms changes the optics a bit.  Almost certainly a show of ignorance, not racism, however artlessly offensive as a result.  However, it does raise the question: can we at some point view it as good that nobody has seen the terrible version(s) of blackface?

    • numol

      the act itself seems racist as hell to me, regardless of intent.  and i really don’t think it’s good that these people may not have realized they were doing blackface.  although i’m not totally sure what you mean by “can we at some point view it as good”.  or what you mean by “terrible version(s) of blackface” (are you saying there are versions that are NOT terrible?  if so, what do you mean by that?).

    • numol

      the act itself seems racist as hell to me, regardless of intent.  and i really don’t think it’s good that these people may not have realized they were doing blackface.  although i’m not totally sure what you mean by “can we at some point view it as good”.  or what you mean by “terrible version(s) of blackface” (are you saying there are versions that are NOT terrible?  if so, what do you mean by that?).

    • numol

      the act itself seems racist as hell to me, regardless of intent.  and i really don’t think it’s good that these people may not have realized they were doing blackface.  although i’m not totally sure what you mean by “can we at some point view it as good”.  or what you mean by “terrible version(s) of blackface” (are you saying there are versions that are NOT terrible?  if so, what do you mean by that?).

    • http://www.futurebird.com Susan Donovan

      You mean burry this country’s racist history and pretend it never happened?

  • bcimfat

    there is a serious difference between painting yourself black in an attempt to mock a black person, and painting yourself black to support (and sport) your team colors.  the reason that the color black is so taboo is because this has to be a discussion.  this is making a mountain out of a mole hill.  i doubt that the majority of fans painted black even thought for a moment about black people.  their goal was not to mock, imitate, or poke fun at black people.  if they were to paint themselves red, no one would care.  i am confident that the fan painting herself red had the same motive as the fan painting herself black; and i guarantee that the motive in question was not racial.  why must be make something racial out of an issue that is not racial.  i don’t suggest that we forget how far we’ve come since the days of the “Jazz Singer,” nor how much further we have to go.  but it is not appropriate to twist obviously non-race-based issues into race-based issues just to keep generations apprised of the dark history of race relations in america.  when the guy paints himself black to dress up as an NBA player for halloween, comment on that because it’s racist.  but don’t accuse the super fan from mizzou of being racist, or being ignorant, simply because one of mizzou’s team colors is black.  let’s move on.  let’s use the brains god gave us.  if we ever want race relations to evolve, we must all relax.

    • numol

      ignorance is NO excuse.  and people aren’t “making a mountain out of a molehill”, FFS, this is BLACKFACE.  of course it’s racist, intentional or not.  and i dunno about red paint, either, given that “redface” is a thing, too [i dunno anything about the red-painted fan, but when people who i know are non-Indigenous do that, it seems to me like they're (whether intentionally or not) mocking Indigenous people]. and “i doubt that the majority of fans painted black even thought for a moment about black people” — i agree with Charlotte, THIS IS PART OF THE PROBLEM.  come on, nobody’s twisting anything here, this is just racist, period.  framing this as “oh everyone complaining is just uptight and trying to find things to be offended by and everybody needs to RELAX” is really nasty and dismissive.

  • tinwoman

    People who are consumed with sports are a bit dim anyway.  IMHO.

  • R Fausz

    I could not agree more, BC. People SEARCH for ways to bring racial issues into anything and everything! The writer of the article thinks that members of that generation feel that “race is no longer an issue.” Well, ISN’T THAT WHAT YOU WANTED?? DO YOU NOT WANT PEOPLE TO LOOK PAST ONE’S RACE TO THE INNER BEING OF THE PERSON? Finally when race is no longer an issue, people want it to be an issue again so that the focus is on them. If this were a Boise State student, this would be a non issue. If ASU had not had a jersey redesign, then the student would not have painted themselves black. Therefore you can deduce that they didn’t paint themselves for racial humor or ignorance. The writer of this piece should be fired for ignorance and  false reporting. 

    • numol

      garbage.  “people search for ways to make it about race” is often used as a catch-all “argument” whenever someone points out that something’s racist.  and one of the points made over and over again that always makes clear how ridiculous that “argument” is, is: why would anybody targeted by racism actually search for it where there isn’t any, when the impact of racism is so painful and damaging?  you really think that people complaining about this JUST WANT ATTENTION?  good grief.  also, INTENT DOES NOT MATTER MORE THAN OUTCOME.  and not noticing race does not make one not racist.  in fact i agree with people who believe that “not noticing” race is seriously harmful willful ignorance.

  • Charlotte

    This needs to be a “teaching moment” for ASU. bcimfat below notes that “I doubt that the majority of fans painted black *even thought for a moment about black people.*” (emphasis mine).  Therein lies the problem.  I agree — they probably didn’t think for a moment about black people. Had they thought about it, they might have thought “oh, gee, maybe we shouldn’t paint our faces black because white folks painting their faces black has an unfortunate racial history in this country.” ASU has two school colors, after all, one of which is not black.  Why not paint your face that color?

    I agree with commentators below that the students may not have meant to be racist.  (We’ll put aside for the moment the disturbing demographics of college sport that makes the industry rather like a plantation – white folks making money off of black bodies.) However, I think that a university administrator might do well to have a word with the students about why some people might have a problem with white folks in black facepaint. Then, at least, the students could make their decisions with some sense of the racial history behind the act.

    • Charlotte

      An addendum: While professors at my university have been pointing out the college/plantation parallel for years, someone has finally written a book about it: Billy Hawkins–The New Plantation; Black Athletes, College Sports, and Predominantly White NCAA Institutions. 

  • bystander

    I’d like to argue that these students were just thoughtless.  No malice involved, just empty headed about the implications.  But, they are at an institution of higher education, right? 

    • numol

      ignorance = not an excuse.  and yeah those “higher education” places are [mostly, if not all] pretty racist, AFAIK.

  • LanceThruster

    I do not think the issue is that black & white. I think intent counts for something. A backwards swastika is someone else’s religious symbol pre-Third Reich. Ron (or is it Russell?) Mael of the band Sparks looks pretty dapper in a Hitler/Chaplin moustache . Are those to be forever scorned? Should women who wear “slave braclets” be chastized? The parody of Bush as a chimp seemed valid, but troublesome for Obama, though we all followed the path Darwin wrote of.

    The Planet of the Apes remake had many fine actors. Would it have been a good thing or a bad thing if every actor cast was black (if I said “African-American” would it mean no non-American actors of color shoud be considered?). The dumbest and most factually incorrect statement I remember from the OJ trial was that Kato? saw an African-American man in dark sweats and watchcap hop the wall. If his identification was only visual, he had no way to determine this particular black-skinned/dark-skinned individual’s origin conclusively.

    I think the “colored” response to the query about whether such pigmentation was appropriate for the southwest sunshine was valid and understandable in context. Context is all we have even when / especially when someone turns on the outrage meter.

  • http://ralfast.wordpress.com/ Ralfast

    Ignorance is not an excuse. Just plain idiotic.

    • LanceThruster

      But not “retarded”?

  • http://ralfast.wordpress.com/ Ralfast

    simply feel like race “isn’t an issue anymore”

    Yes, overt racism may not appear to be an issue anymore, but racism still exists. In fact, those who don’t know what it is, and feel uncomfortable dealing with the implication that it racism is more than a rude gesture or word tend to be the ones who use this as an excuse to protect themselves.

    • LanceThruster

      Would anyone wagging their left finger at someone of certain cultures be racially insensitive, ignorant, or racist because in that culture it’s the finger used to wipe (and considered most vile)?

      Must we cling to every nuance of bigotry even when it’s clear that it has progressed beyond that? Do most people understand “fueding like the Hatfields and the McCoys” is roughly the same as “fighting tooth and nail” or is it a dig at hillbillies too stupid to end their blood fued begun over a pig? Is “hillbilly” the n-word of backwoods mountain people? Is “backwoods” the same as “backwards”? Is redneck or jarhead a slur or an observation of identifying traits.

      PC is not a foolish concept, but it can be carried to foolish extremes. Remember the flap over a talking head saying “niggardly” and told it was offensive though used correctly. The response was the appearance of sounding bigoted was too important to ignore.

  • Thomas

    Holy moley. I guess the official explanation will be “It’s not racist if we don’t mean it it to be, so that’s settled”? And speaking of historical context don’t forget Arizona’s fierce resistance to MLK Jr. Day, though I’m sure a lot of people would argue all of that is ancient, baggage-free history as well.  Absolutely unbelievable, having students show up to the big game in blackface. What a laughable miscalculation by ASU officials this is. Maybe opposing teams should routinely have their bands play Public Enemy’s “By The Time I Get To Arizona” to let them know what time it is.

    • LanceThruster

      I agree that the AZ resistence to MLK day is an issue, but seems a separate one. Our governmental edifices are often built in the style of the Roman Empire. Now *there’s* some ancient baggage-free history. They were at least equal opportunity slave owners, but also guilty of tremendous slaughter, violence and barbarism mixed in with their culture and other aspects we openly retain.

      Was it OK for ASU to even pick a black uniform because you know…the very term “black” and how it’s used,  and MLK day, and their laws about illegal aliens and stuff?

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

      MLK? Why should ppl care in az about mlk
       

  • Karton

    I teach at ASU and we are discussing this in my visual communication class now. Given how excited my students were for the start of the football season and the new black uniforms, they do have difficulty seeing how their enthusiasm can be (mis)taken for racism or cultural insensitivity – especially when they feel like the call to “dress in black” was sanctioned by the University. However, they’re not indifferent to the criticism as some of the comments toward the end of this post suggest. Most care about how they present themselves at games and to their world, and are willing to consider the racial aspects of this carefully and respectfully. I have a very diverse class, and the dialog they’ve generated has been informative for everyone.

    • Thomas

      That’s great. Did you follow Cate’s link to the ASU forum? ASU students— even those in the throes of football season enthusiasm—are generally socialized enough to know that blackface is taboo, and why. I would take their not being indifferent to criticism and their purported difficulty in seeing as an opportunity to instruct them not to do this again and not to humor other students who do it because it’s obnoxious and insulting and they know it. Let me know if you would like my services as a guest lecturer. I’m expensive but I work fast!

      If University officials don’t approve of this they should clearly say so. If they’re hoping the tacit approval of their silence will give them a pass I think they’re really wrong about that. And surely their faculty would like to employ their valuable expertise and class time in ways other than diplomatically deconstructing the obvious.

  • http://www.bagnewsnotes.com Michael Shaw

    Karton,

    My friend Karen Stewart, who also teaches at ASU, offered a comment on the BagNews Facebook page that is very similar to yours. I’m glad that our reach is such that members of the ASU community have responded directly, and I appreciate your insight — especially from a visual communications class, bringing that much more context to the imagery and the conversation. Of course, if we’ve been able to stimulate even more discussion for the students, I’m happy to have turned the opportunity into a “live laboratory.” Perhaps you, or the students — the Bag existing as a daily seminar — could share some of the class conversation with us, too?

    By the way, I just heard from Sheriff Arpaio’s office (“Arpagio is sort of an interesting amalgam,” they wrote, addressing the email to “Editor at BTC News”) and I’m in the process of correcting the spelling of his name right now.

    • Karton

      good idea! I’ll work on that and get back to you!

  • ASUstudent123

    Arizona has a very large Hispanic and Native American population as well, but when people showed up to the games in full maroon body paint, no one said a word about racism. This is ridiculous. Black is a color. The student body was encouraged for weeks to “blackout” the stands. No one was mocking anyone, it was just a show of school spirit. Calm down, folks.

    • numol

      1) “calm down” = tone argument, and totally irrelevant.  2) how do you know nobody said anything about the maroon body paint?  and in any case, BLACKFACE MOST CERTAINLY IS RACIST.  3) “Black is a color” — CONTEXT IS IMPORTANT and you’re ignoring literally 100% of the context here.  4) intent does not matter more than actions.

  • http://twitter.com/safwat Safwat Saleem

    I am an ASU alum and also work there (although I don’t speak for ASU).
    The black face incident is unfortunate. At worst it is naive and
    ignorant but I doubt their intentions were racist.

    ASU is in a state that has a history of doing some very questionable
    things (SB1070, MLK day in the past, to name just a couple) but if any
    thing, ASU is among the beacons of hope in this state. The students,
    faculty and staff here give me hope that perhaps Arizona’s future is not
    as bleak as everyone outside of Arizona claims.

    This is a small personal example but last fall, with the support of
    friends and colleagues from ASU, I was able to put up an art exhibit in
    response to SB1070 that talked about issues of race and politics in
    Arizona. The exhibit, called A Bunch of Crock
    (http://abunchofcrock.com), was the opposite of the Arizona image that
    is often portrayed in the media and it received plenty of local support.
    It would not have been possible for me to pull off something like that
    without the help of the generous, open and supportive community around
    me.

    Unfortunately stories like this get left out and the ones about black face get picked up.

    • Cate Blouke

      Thank you for sharing your exhibit, it looks amazing and is precisely the kind of art/social commentary that I am typically drawn to.  But, you’re right.  It is stories like this that get media attention, and that’s one of the questions I was hoping to get at with this post.  How can we, as a culture, engage with social awareness on a large scale?

      This conversation has been circulating the internet in various forums since last week, and I’m inclined to push against some of the arguments I’ve seen and raise new questions.

      For one thing, no one (myself included) has broached the fact that in other images (http://blacksportsonline.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/ASU-blackface-2.png), one of the fans sporting black paint appears to be an African American woman.  How does that shape or change our understanding of the event? 

      Personally, I’m sympathetic to the argument that we don’t criticize Notre Dame fans for painting themselves green (or, for that matter University of Texas fans for painting themselves orange).  However, blackface is fundamentally a differently charged representation, and ignoring that is tantamount to claiming that it doesn’t or shouldn’t matter anymore, that we can just forget or move past history.  But we can’t – at least not until we have many more conversations like this one.  

      I like LanceThruster’s point about the Raiders and a disruption of the color scheme.  Perhaps that’s a viable approach. I don’t claim to know.  But I’m very interested in the conversation that is occurring here and glad to have had a hand in spurring it.

    • Cate Blouke

      Thank you for sharing your exhibit, it looks amazing and is precisely the kind of art/social commentary that I am typically drawn to.  But, you’re right.  It is stories like this that get media attention, and that’s one of the questions I was hoping to get at with this post.  How can we, as a culture, engage with social awareness on a large scale?

      This conversation has been circulating the internet in various forums since last week, and I’m inclined to push against some of the arguments I’ve seen and raise new questions.

      For one thing, no one (myself included) has broached the fact that in other images (http://blacksportsonline.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/ASU-blackface-2.png), one of the fans sporting black paint appears to be an African American woman.  How does that shape or change our understanding of the event? 

      Personally, I’m sympathetic to the argument that we don’t criticize Notre Dame fans for painting themselves green (or, for that matter University of Texas fans for painting themselves orange).  However, blackface is fundamentally a differently charged representation, and ignoring that is tantamount to claiming that it doesn’t or shouldn’t matter anymore, that we can just forget or move past history.  But we can’t – at least not until we have many more conversations like this one.  

      I like LanceThruster’s point about the Raiders and a disruption of the color scheme.  Perhaps that’s a viable approach. I don’t claim to know.  But I’m very interested in the conversation that is occurring here and glad to have had a hand in spurring it.- Show quoted text -

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

       Of course it warnt racist, they are just kids.
      C’mon

  • Cate Blouke

    Also, if anyone needs more proof that this conversation is extremely relevant, take a look at this story about a similar event in Montreal that happened earlier this week.  The difference is that these students weren’t sporting their team’s colors at all, and they’ve offended a fellow student so deeply that he’s contemplating filing a human rights complaint:  http://gawker.com/5840910/college-kids-who-wore-blackface-to-sports-event-didnt-want-to-offend-anyone

  • adam

    Penn state is doing another white out i am offended….florida state is doing a red out i am indian now im offended….your dog just sneezed and his sneeze sounded like a gay joke im offended…get over yourself dude 

    • numol

      you chose to post this whiny, dismissive, nasty comment, and YOU are asking people with legit complaints to “get over themselves”?  troll.

    • http://www.futurebird.com Susan Donovan

      Adam, context and history matter. There is a history of black face having a certain offensive meaning, “white face” has no such history. Your hostility and un willingness to try to understand this make me think that you don’t think the ways that racism hurts people is important. In short, it shows that you don’t care.

      The only way to end racism is to care about it.

  • Bugboy

    Just wrap your brain around what these kids did.  Dr. Watkins has it right:

    “Students are a reflection of those who teach them, and it’s interesting that these four white women made the plan to wear black face, went out and bought the makeup, told their friends about their plan, put on the makeup and went to the game, without anyone even taking a second to realize that what they were doing would be incredibly offensive to millions of people.”

    It is not even what THEY did, but that those around them blithely accepted their actions as if it was nothing offensive to others.  Therefore they failed to see it was offensive to others, as they should have, as peers and educators of these ignorant young people.

    As for Devilution’s assertions, anyone who has a sig that says “HARD WORK BEATS TALENT, WHEN TALENT DOESN’T WORK HARD” must be used to shoveling $hit for a living.

  • Ggrahame

    Please explain the bonnet.
    GRG

  • Ggrahame

    Please explain the bonnet.
    GRG

  • Lucaites

    This may or may not be relevant, but it doesn’t strike me that this is “blackface” at all.  Yes, the faces have been blacked out. That much is obvious.  But the “blackface” tradition that invites racial comparisons is historically (and almost always) done so as to accent features of the face (often the lips) that invoke other stereotypes.  And more, it is done in a way that underscores the sense in which this is a white person playing a black person.  The screen grab here is difficult to evaluate in this context and I can’t find any other images on-line, but these folks look more like vampires than anything … And while I know there is a racial element to that as well, we don’t seem to get quite as excited about such representations.  I guess the question is:  are all faces painted in black instances of “blackface”?  [And note, in asking this I'm not arguing that people are necessarily wrong to be offended ... but rather I'm interested in whether or not our understanding of this visual trope is shifting somehow.  And if so, what does that say?]

    • Cate Blouke

      That’s a really interesting point – and worthy of inquiry.  The question has also been raised as to whether the fact that they painted their arms, etc. makes a difference as well?  I’m curious to hear what people think about both questions.

    • http://www.bagnewsnotes.com Michael Shaw

      John, I attached a second photo further up the thread.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

      I agree! No racism is here, its ludicrous!

  • When Does this Stop

    More whining about nothing. This is out of control…. Why is it anything that MIGHT have a racist conotation is (even accidental) is BLASTED when its against blacks… but blatant racism against whites it is socially acceptable… this is not racism, this was to support their team. Every college does this with their colors… ASU just happens to have black as their new color… ooooooh racism racism…. wah…. no racism is the subtle things in the world like “Thats so white of you…. or you dance like a white person” or its ok to have movies, channels, award shows ALL black, or changing iconic white characters black but you cannot do that all white becasue it would be racist.
    Racism is racism people. People always claim they want equality but then there are always double standards like this. The pendulum is just swinging the other way.  Racism is HATE or oppression of another race….there is no oppression here and it was not influenced by hate.

    • http://reciprocity-failure.blogspot.com Stan B.

      It stops when people such as yourself understand the history and totality of racism in this country, and how it lingers and manifests itself to this very day. First off, you fail to understand the difference between racism as a societal, economic and political construct v personal prejudice. No, these students weren’t being intentionally racist- they are just completely ignorant of this country’s sorry history of racism in all its diverse and pervading facets, and then compounding that ignorance with a complete insensitivity that allows them to defend such actions.

    • http://reciprocity-failure.blogspot.com Stan B.

      It stops when people such as yourself understand the history and totality of racism in this country, and how it lingers and manifests itself to this very day. First off, you fail to understand the difference between racism as a societal, economic and political construct v personal prejudice. No, these students weren’t being intentionally racist- they are just completely ignorant of this country’s sorry history of racism in all its diverse and pervading facets, and then compounding that ignorance with a complete insensitivity that allows them to defend such actions.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

      I so agree, when!! Racism against white people is totally acceptable! You are so right.

    • numol

      THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “RACISM AGAINST WHITES” UNDER A WHITE SUPREMACIST SYSTEM.  it’s interesting how you whine endlessly and are so easily offended by stuff like “that’s so white of you” or whatever, and then you accuse people pointing out ACTUAL racism of whining.  and the reason black media and changing the race of characters from white to black is ok is BECAUSE ALMOST ALL MEDIA IN THE WEST IS EITHER WHITES-ONLY OR HAS JUST A FEW TOKEN RACIALIZED CHARACTERS WHO GET PUSHED ASIDE AND/OR BUMPED OFF.  and yes, blackface IS oppressive, no matter what the intent.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1560709157 Gia Lynch
  • http://www.bagnewsnotes.com Michael Shaw

    For Lucaites and others: attached here is a second photo that’s linked to in the post. Because it’s easy to miss, and it gives a second and a wider view, I’ve attached it here.

  • Anonymous

    Wow! If it demonstrates nothing else, this thread demonstrates how deeply divided we are as a nation, in respect to race, and how deep our feelings run.

    Personally I wish this discussion had considered the incident in broader context. For example, the “Southern strategy” of the Republican Party dates as far back as the Nixon administration, after passage of the voting rights act, and it’s still being actively pursued. At least two implications: (1) If it’s been pursued that long, then it has to have had a deep effect. (2) If it weren’t effective, then it wouldn’t still be used by Teabagger-style Republicans.

    For example, the numerous voter suppression laws passed in recent years where Republicans control legislatures are aimed specifically at black Americans as well as other demographic groups that tend to vote Democrat. The practical effect is that black Americans are being denied the franchise. And, as admitted by conservative Roger Vadum, that means they are also being denied the justice voting power encourages:

    “Why are left-wing activist groups so keen on registering the poor to vote?

    Because they know the poor can be counted on to vote themselves more benefits by electing redistributionist politicians. Welfare recipients are particularly open to demagoguery and bribery.

    Registering them to vote is like handing out burglary tools to criminals. It is profoundly antisocial and un-American to empower the nonproductive segments of the population to destroy the country – which is precisely why Barack Obama zealously supports registering welfare recipients to vote.”

    from American Thinker (http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/09/registering_the_poor_to_vote_is_un-american.html)

    Forget whether there’s any racial motivation. Regardless of conscious intent, the fact is that in many ways black Americans are losing rights and opportunities rather than enjoying them, let alone increasing them. An incident like this is a perfect opportunity to such profoundly important issues.

    • LanceThruster

      Good points
      and why the discussion of the bigger picture is welcome as well. I was thinking
      of a slightly different tangent. Much of the vitriol of the denials was
      centered around school/team pride – identification – affiliation. I’ve already
      stated that I feel it can be credibly argued that the intent was not at issue.
      But one of the things that often gets ignored in school pride loyalties or
      sports fan behavior (short for “fanatic” don’t forget) is how much it
      mirrors gang and/or polarized tribal affiliations. So Cal Trojans have a
      tradition of “Burn the Bruin” rallies and builds a giant bonfire to
      torch a giant teddy bear in front of all age groups for the world to see (and
      it *does* get press coverage). Look at the history of execution or murder by
      burning people to death (Lodz, Spanish Inquisition, Salem witch trials).
      Students/others tie little hangman’s nooses around little Bruin teddy bears and
      drag them from bikes, car bumpers, and in office, class and housing spaces.
      Humans have a long history of cruelty to animals, and the association of a
      noose with lynchings is certainly not indirect. This is at an institute of
      higher education, surrounded by the shapers of the upcoming generation. Shouts
      from the rally stage of “Beat those f4ggots!” are not unknown (look
      at the history of assault on gays).

      School pride
      taken to fanaticism is parodied in the musical “How to Succeed in Business
      Without Really Trying” with the rivalry between the Groundhogs and the
      Chipmunks. But the nature of the rivalry being parodied leans more towards real
      life. Jobs are won or lost based on team affiliation (in the movie – real life?
      You tell me). The real life examples can be far more disquieting as fights,
      assaults, beatings, and killings take place far to often based on whether a fan
      is a “groundhog” or a “chipmunk”. Opening day this baseball
      between the LA Dodgers and the SF Giants had a SF paramedic beaten into a coma
      by supposed Dodger supporters. Checking some of the sports links provided here
      already had some NFL stories about fan fights. The connection between spectator
      sports, violence, gambling, misogyny, tribal affiliation, group identity and
      “hatred” for the “other”, alcohol use, military jingoism,
      open denigration of other regions of the country or cities (or entire other
      countries in international events) seems quite a distance from games played by
      kids for fun, recreation, exercise, developing physical skills, and teamwork.
       

      As a nation
      we’re mired in any number of social, economic, and political problems, but
      sports is the religion that seems to allow some to transcend the mundane with
      this “higher calling.” Or more likely, it is just a shiny object that
      everyone else seems obligated to be mesmerized with as well. I do not know if
      there is a single newspaper publication (other than alternative papers)
      nationally or locally without a sports page. Sure, that and the weather give
      dailies something to print, but look at all the issues Americans are grossly
      uninformed on, while still being able to recite box score numbers from memory
      (Chomsky’s “Manufacturing Consent” touches on this).

      I would love
      to see an expanded piece by BagNewsNotes on the polarization in this country on
      all fronts; sports, political, military, religious, etc and the images
      associated with it and how very similar they will appear. Pictures of the faces
      of white students at the Little Rock school integration protests at times will
      look similar to those rooting for their team, or opposite sides protesting a
      controversial issue, or even the language/images used in the rift between
      political parties and voter issues.

      The rage
      displayed is virtually primal and as Fox Noise and A. Hilter have shown, can be
      successfully manipulated with a minimal effort. This needs to change because
      we’re not talking about groundhogs and chipmunks (in most cases), but the fate
      and well being of our fellow citizens, our country, our economy, the planet,
      the rest of the world’s inhabitants…and yet our approach is essentially the
      same for all…deep from within the reptilian part of our brains.

      Ask yourself
      this, when you’ve been involved in an intense confrontation or debate…one
      where for whatever reason you were swayed by the opponent’s views and actually
      changed your mind, how long past the intensity of your anger or passion when it
      cooled down a bit, were you able to process facts in a calm or rational manner?
      That is part of our current problem in that for some, that intensity never
      diminishes, and proponents of a particular views know that, and work to ensure
      that level of intensity never subsides.

      On a related
      note to this topic, I’ve seen the cries of reverse racism and often they’ll
      site the flash mob attacks by “minority” individuals against white
      victims as not getting the same play as incidents with a reversed make-up (a
      valid point). I’ve seen minority rights leaders argue that their group cannot
      *be* racist because racism involves the power marginalize someone else and they
      claim they are still marginalized. Muslims deal with blanket denunciations as
      terrorists, and are called on to denounce any Muslim that makes the news for
      upsetting behavior, as do many minorities, but not all equally. Israel
      unleashes acts of great violence, but pretends murder as cover for theft is
      self-defense. The echo chamber reinforces the meme that the other side is the
      fanatical bloodthirsty terrorists.

      Debate
      points are scored when a false linkage can be made to diminish the other view.
      I’ve seen arguments put forth such as – David Duke likes Walt and Mearsheimer,
      therefore the professors writing about the Israel Lobby are just like David
      Duke. OK, fine. Why doesn’t that work both ways then? Look at this piece of
      work by a hard core Zionist (and not even about Arabs/Muslims!) http://themadjewess.com/2011/08/25/never-ever-trust-a-black-man-by-david-ben-moshe/

       
      Where are
      the calls to Zionist Jews worldwide to renounce this sort of rabid hatred and
      bigotry or be condemned? You’d get laughed at because this is the same sort of
      hate that gets directed at the Palestinians. So while the MSM keeps stating
      without challenge that even the request to the UN for Palestinian statehood is
      an awful thing, please keep in mind the biases and assumptions that go into
      promoting this meme without question.

      It’s more
      Chipmunks and Groundhogs battle lines drawn, but with (even for sports) far
      more bloody and painful consequences. (and the announcers, “sports”
      writers, and even the refs, definitely play favorites – the “fans”
      pretty much do what they’re told)

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

      left wingers just want anyone to vote for them so they can destroy America, you know this

  • LanceThruster

    By the way, this South Park episode dealt with a similar issue of racial predjudice and misunderstanding -

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chef_Goes_Nanners

    In the end, Chef (a “black” or “African-American” character) comes to conclusion that his outrage was the filter that kept him from seeing that the children themselves were truly colorblind.

    Something to remember here…particularly since the title offers only those options given and not, “Racist, Ignorant, Just Insensitive, or Totally Innocent?”

    Believe it or not, I feel “totally innocent” is a distinct possibility.

    • numol

      no.  and that south park episode was pretty messed up IMO — saying one should just ignore race is a pretty damaging point to make.  because although race is a social construct, racism and racial identities are huge parts of people’s lives in the US [in a lot of places, really, but AFAIK we're talking about the US here].  and no matter the intentions of these ASU students, i can’t think of this as anything but racism — it’s blackface.  very simple.  blackface is racist, these students wore blackface, therefore they did something racist, regardless of intent.  also using the term “colorblind” the way you do is appropriating the term of a disability and associating it with willful ignorance.

  • Momly

    If I were shown this picture (or both) without knowing it was a football game, I would have thought it was a Star Trek convention. Why ELSE paint your entire body with thick paint and go out in public? They’re cos-playing!!

    But I agree with the comment about the Southern Strategy – racism is alive and well in this country even if it is not the intention of these kids. To claim otherwise is naive.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

    This is not ‘black face’ for Gods sakes.
    GET A GRIP

    • numol

      ok so apparently you’ve been banned so this might be pointless, but: NO, THIS IS BLACKFACE.  and “get a grip” is just a dismissive tone argument.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

    WTH does Sheriff Joe have to do with this?
    You people are WACKO

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

    intolerance and insensitivity
    MY ASS.
    YOU IDIOTS go live on the border in AZ then wine and complain you bunch of g’d traitor pos’s

    • http://ralfast.wordpress.com/ Ralfast

      Talk about racism and eventually a real racist will show up.

    • http://ralfast.wordpress.com/ Ralfast

      Talk about racism and eventually a real racist will show up.

  • http://www.bagnewsnotes.com Michael Shaw

    Up to the last couple comments, the discussion has been impressively civil and constructive. There is no need for name calling. I would also request that you not make serial/consecutive comments. I’ve also banned Pad Dar for profane and abusive comments on the following post, removed the last exchange of comments (apologies to Ralfast and Lance) and removed a few of her more provocative posts down thread.  Thanks.– Michael

  • Raiderr_nation

    well the fact that they denied Obama is honorary degree. these white need to take it off and dont do it again and whats funny is there is a token black person who is sitting next to the blonde who painter herself black too lol

  • dfasji

    The fact that they are even questioning this is ridiculous.

    • numol

      if you mean it’s ridiculous to question whether or not the act is racist, i totally agree.  of course blackface is racist.

  • http://bethaniqua.blogspot.com bethanyk

    I don’t know if I learned about the history of blackface until I reached graduate school. I don’t think these students ignorance is a result of not believing race is “an issue anymore” as much as the history of blackface not being the most pressing topic in a diversity education.

    When something has been taboo longer than a person has been alive, I’m not sure we can hold them responsible for not realizing an action might invoke something racist from the past. Sure, use it as a teaching moment, but I think we could cut them some slack for not knowing how others might read a black-painted face.

    • numol

      i could not possibly disagree more.  ignorance is absolutely, 100% no excuse.  and it’s not just about this being “taboo” — BLACKFACE IS EXTREMELY RACIST AND HARMFUL.  IMO it’s downright violent.

  • Anonymous

    What do you expect from a college in AZ? Very stupid.

  • Rdeneta

    ridiculous article- this is neither racist or insensitive.  they were painting themselves after their team’s colors. absolutely no racial connotations- unless of course we should ban all teams from using black as a team color because that’s insensitive as well.

  • SWhite

    They should have known the consequences of doing this: Black people wouldn’t care less, but millions of little white liberals would cry that it’s “racist” and “offensive” and “insensitive.” I have news for you white liberals who are always acting like the spokesperson for the black community, or Asian or Hispanic or Islamic, or whatever…. they are very capable of sticking up for themselves and telling us what they deem offensive. I know it makes you feel so good about yourself, but you’re only causing more hostility and division. This game was a “blackout.” And their school spirit motivated them to try to outdo the other students.

  • Coach Outlet Online
  • Coach Outlet Online
  • Coach Outlet Online
  • Mel

    What a dishonest article! It’s obvious that their intent was not to copy people from Hollywood history. Well they didn’t white their lips but their teeth are white. Seriously?
    We have enough hate in the world without liberal MSM trying stir up more.
    This is no different than when silly fans paint themselves blue, purple, Ect.

    Lame attempt at stirring up anger at Arizona. Liberals will fall for it though. The girls probably even voted for Obama.

    Want outrage? How about some outrage at our society’s attempt to wipe out the black population through abortion? The treatment of black women in the Gosnell trial is despicable.

  • http://ralfast.wordpress.com/ Ralfast

    You answered you’re question. It would be ignorant.

    And what are your metrics for “progressed beyond that”?

  • LanceThruster

    Ok, so would it be insensitive to know that for them it was offensive, but for you it did not carry the same connotation so it did not apply to you? If a Notre Dame fan could paint themselves green and not upset the Leprechaun Lobby, could the ASU fans add a contrasting color stripe or whatnot? I work near the LA Coliseum and remember seeing Raider fans with silver and black facepaint (in a truly multi-cultural environment, no less).

    I am glad it is being discussed. I certainly do not have any clear answer to all aspects, but know the net can be cast wider. There are religious groups that object to any “Devil” reference for any team or even geographical features. I know that there are schools and teams with Native American names with mixed thoughts on appropriateness. Is a Pirate or a Buccaneer a pillaging raping thief (or a Viking)? Disneyland changed the part of the PotC ride where the pirate chased a woman (implying a desire for sexual assault) to having her carry a plate of food and drink (IIRC). Does this gloss over the reality of criminality on the seas?

    Should military special forces be required to camoflauge themselves in ways other than blackface greasepaint because it is no different from the disrespect inflicted if they donned afro wigs? Is the Confederate battle flag truly no different than a Nazi flag? I’m only asking because you seem to want to give the impression that you have all the answers.

    I certainly don’t.

    Sorry to move past the blackface discussion, but you seem to give context little attention. If a term/action can be permanently deemed verboten, what do we do with peole of color who use the term amongst themselves, and what about Mark Twain’s use of the term? One printing altered the term to a more acceptable term (slave?). The irony is that the description, while vile in terms of the indignity of such ownership of a human being, can be used, but the term used in the book though historically accurate, according to some needed to be taken out, because people would be offended, or possibly think it was OK to use…but miss out on the point that for most, the usage of the time wasn’t offensive (at least to them), and was used regularly.

    Finally, if “colored” is no longer appropriate, what should the NAACP do?

  • LanceThruster

    You answered you’re question. It would be ignorant.

    Btw, I don’t do “spelling flames” but it is doubly funny to see when deriding “ignorance” which will now need separate categories of willful and potentially hateful, innocent, and run of the mill typos.

    You’re welcome. I hope your efforts were fruitful.

  • http://ralfast.wordpress.com/ Ralfast

    You haven’t heard the discussion within the African-American community about the N-word, have you? As for the Confederate flag, well considering that it involved a war to defend the institution of slavery and left over 500,000 Americans dead and its inconclusive end gave rise to the Klan I don’t think that is a bad idea.

    Context is relevant in as much that these students should have known better and some in fact did. The use of black face within an entertainment context, such as movies, theater and sport events has a different conotation as your military example, form over function and all of that. What I see is an attempt to obscure that context in a series of apologies and under the rubric of “I didn’t mean it” instead of facing the real context expressed.

    Oh and last time I checked, you can’t offend what doesn’t exists so I’m not really worried about the Leprechauns. I would worry about an attack on the Irish and their culture, but that’s not the case here.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

     What should the American Caucs do when they have racism directed at them, LanceThruster? They have no naacp, they have no aclu, splc.

    You are intolerant against anyone that does not agree with you, Mr Thrust

  • http://www.bagnewsnotes.com Michael Shaw

    Stan, while I appreciate your point (as well as all the posts you’ve done regarding photography, racism and its historical resonances), I’m sensing that “When Does this Stop” is younger than we are. If that’s is case, I’m wondering how much the difference in consciousness, thus mindset, thus opinion is more purely a function of age. And if there is any merit to the distinction, maybe what we have here, as much as anything, is a teaching moment.

  • http://reciprocity-failure.blogspot.com Stan B.

    No doubt he is younger, and this is certainly not the first black face incident in recent years where (younger) people claimed: they just didn’t know, didn’t care- or just get over it. This is in no doubt greatly due to an educational system which falls over itself in what to include, exclude, emphasize, and “whitewash” when it comes to the history of race and racism in these United States- when it allows it to be discussed it at all. This in turn sets the stage for these recurring bouts of “non racist” racist scenarios where those ignorant of history proclaim innocence, or make ridiculous contemporary analogies.

  • LanceThruster

    Actually I’ve attended discussions groups with members of ethnic communities after the LA riots and at other times. I’ve heard comics and rappers either defend or decry justifications for usage of particular terms, but rarely in a manner that gave universal approval, just allowable in certain situations. Language is fluid and evolving and so is the concept of cultural norms.

    Blackface is an element of a  shameful past that was used to mock and degrade. Even in cartoons, the depiction was with a wide band around the lips to accentuate those features. The performer would mimic and exaggerate those traits they wanted to denigrate. When was last last time you saw a minstrel show? I saw Spike Lee’s movie “Bamboozled” and heard about Ted Danson (while dating Whoopie Goldberg) doing  it as a skit on an awards(?) show (and he took quite a bit of heat).

    Back to context – without any other identifying similarities, skin painting according to team colors is no more aping minstrel show antics than a black car with white doors is a police cruiser.

    You want to talk flags? Over a million innocent Vietnamese were killed under the color of our flag. Could the American flag represent the death, destruction, and horror to them as we associate with the Nazi flag? Zionist Jews sometimes try to argue that the Palestinian flag or the keffiyah is a terrorist symbol. They also complain about ant-Semitic political cartoons if the Star of David is depicted because it is their religious symbol (but it is also on their flag and warplanes and military vehicles). The Gazans who saw children and civilians incinerated with Israeli white phosphorus bombs probably see the symbol in a harsher light. Israeli illegal settlers draw the star with racist graffiti on Arab homes (star + Gas the Arabs!). At what point does it become a hate symbol? Some Jews/Israelis complain when protesters draw the star = the swastika. Is there any point of Israeli oppression, an upper limit, where it would be valid to make Nazi comparisons or does the history of Holocaust mean their acts can *never* be compared to Nazis?

    In medieval times, a “fool” was a mentally deficient person with any number of quirks associated with their behavior. But “fool” is not now considered in the same context as “retard” because of why – an expiration date? Back when “retarded” was one of the actual classifications for mental impairment, so were “idiot” and “moron” but the latter two haven’t been banished from the language even though “retarded” actually is a far less offensive term if you take into account the meaning. In an automotive context, if your timing is “retarded” the distrubuter fires the spark plug late in the piston movement resulting in combustion engine inefficiency. That seems far more analagous to someone with limitations of brain functioning, or even someone slow in grasping a concept that they would be expected to grasp so why the distinction, but somehow idiot or moron are ok (though not polite) to call someone not learning challanged, but “retard” is not acceptable in any context and “retarded” almost as much.

    I know the movie “Tropic Thunder” got complaints for their “retard” line, but can’t remember if there was actual protest of Robert Downey Jr’s blackface (though it *was* an essential element in the plot/script).

    Your ability to discern what is and isn’t allowable seems quite developed. I was pointing out that the team colors painting has a distinct and separate history not associated at all with blackface. If they did it and their colors were still red or whatever, I’m just gonna assume you would not have a problem.

    Btw, the LA Raider team color face painting must have been OK because it’s a parallel example, and you said nothing. So either the ASU blackface fans needed to add the secondary color (if it exists), or the fact that they did not also paint awhie ring around their lips and acted in the manner of a minstral show performer means the act is connected to racist blackface mostly by those focusing on an unintended historical context rather than intent. And if that’s the case, then someone in deep colors of blue, or purple, or brown, or burgandy in a dim light could be derided by you for racist overtones because it “looked” like it could be the blackface you are objecting to.

    Another context – jewelry. Would someone (non-black) with a piercing and bone through the nose such as in depictions of African natives in various media be offensive? I’ve seen individuals (holy men, etc) from the continent of India with many such similar body peircings. Would the style being copied/mimicked matter? How about the kids with the prominent rings in their earlobes in the style of certain tribal traditions (Pacific Islanders and others)?

    I still do not see much from you beyond a one-size-fits-all poutrage. I’m not saying a case can’t be made for your position, I just don’t think you have made it.

    And that sounds too much like yelling at a kid trick-or-treating in a crummy Halloween ghost costume because to your eyes it looks too muck like a Klan robe.

    Context and intent –

    What you saw really wasn’t there. And your dismissal of their apologies shows you have a blindspot yourself (not a slur at the visually challenged btw).

    I hope I can discover how the discussions with actual ASU students turns out.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

    That was an excellent article of a white guy who got screwed bigtime, ty for posting that LanceThruster.
    People should wake up and see that racism is in -all- forms.

    That is a good Zionist you linked, thanks for that post! I subscribed to “Themad Jewess” blog, excellent.

    Why should people call her out? The guy so obviously got screwed by a black guy. Looks like you may be the intolerant one.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

     Anyone can be a racist and hate another race and ethnicity LanceThruster, looks like you would like to be a though police S.S. trooper if things dont go the way you would like them to go.
    Sad :(

  • LanceThruster

    I figured if you found the one, you could find the other. I don’t disagree that racial assault is deplorable no matter who does it. That someone as bent as TMJ can feel morally superior somehow because her racism is directed at an “approved” victim (in her twisted mind)? Again Muslims and blacks (among others) are called upon to repudiate every troglodyte with hate in their heart, but 9/11 helped boost the patriotic fervor of openly displaying and relishing in such hate. The example was the one I wanted to provide because of how insane the supposed rationale is. Moshe ben was stiffed by a black person that he thought sounded “white” and now he is convinced that his earlier suspicions that they were an inferior race is now confirmed. See if the ADL cares if TMJ is an issue that concerns them. I doubt it because she waves the Zionist flag and can spout hate about anyone as long as she loves her some Israel.

    An argument of, “They’re racist so it’s OK if I am too” is a pretty p!ss-poor argument, no?

  • LanceThruster

    AmCaucs need to support justice for all. Apply the law equally and fairly and it will protect you. It’s why the Patriot Act is an abomination. Everybody’s “equal” but some are less equal than others.

    Remember GWB said the Constitution is just a goddamn piece of paper.

  • LanceThruster

    AmCaucs need to support justice for all. Apply the law equally and fairly and it will protect you. It’s why the Patriot Act is an abomination. Everybody’s “equal” but some are less equal than others.

    Remember GWB said the Constitution is just a goddamn piece of paper.

  • LanceThruster

    AmCaucs need to support justice for all. Apply the law equally and fairly and it will protect you. It’s why the Patriot Act is an abomination. Everybody’s “equal” but some are less equal than others.

    Remember GWB said the Constitution is just a goddamn piece of paper.

  • LanceThruster

    AmCaucs need to support justice for all. Apply the law equally and fairly and it will protect you. It’s why the Patriot Act is an abomination. Everybody’s “equal” but some are less equal than others.

    Remember GWB said the Constitution is just a goddamn piece of paper.

  • LanceThruster

    Three day weekend?

  • LanceThruster

    Three day weekend?

  • LanceThruster

    Three day weekend?

  • LanceThruster

    Three day weekend?

  • LanceThruster

    Which is why the blanket condemnation of the ASU is itself pretty insipid. Their “infraction” somehow lends support to this troll, but the TMJ site has no connection to the superiority complex inherent in Zionist thinking? It pretty much mirrors it. And notice that he doesn’t even read closely enough (if even able to) to notice that while I do not see a racist motivation in the ASU flap, you do. His point is that who cares if it is because they are all the same (the minorities). Your view seems to be the ASU students should be lumped into his category, based on your interpretation. Notice you both rely on the “certainty” of your convictions.

    I say, judge people by their deeds and intent, not on a rigid template to approve or disapprove things that might be a little more in question.

    Who is showing greater tolerance?

    One other twist on the discussion of race and racism was this (heavy N-word refs) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/With_Apologies_to_Jesse_Jackson

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

    If you are talking about being kicked around by a minority person, been there, done that, hon.

  • LanceThruster

    Interesting the mention of “thought police”. Zionists have made having a view of the Holocaust that differs from the official narrative (labeling the viewpoint of a “denier” or a “revisionist”) a criminally prosecutable act in some countries. That isn’t a support of denying the Holocaust, but a curiosity over why no other field of inquiry has “truth” determined by court ruling in such a manner and what sort of agenda needs to declare that thinking other than “approved” thoughts is cause for imprisonment.

    It’s what my pal Bernie the Attorney calls “the 180 rule.” You accuse me of supporting a position (which I do not) of an actual position of the group which you do support.

    It must be hard for you to breathe with your head buried so far up your tailpipe (or is it TMJ’s? or are *you* TMJ?).

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

    You want to take me on a 3day wknd? ;)

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

    No, just a girl :)   But I emailed this jewess girl, and I believe she is right about what she is saying.
    Zionists?  What in the hell is that.
    I suppose that is support for israel.
    Yep, i am a brainwashed person, the bible tells me to support gods people, so, that i will do.
    Sounds like maybe you are a stromfront member with this anti semitism you have going on, hon.

    You are talking about these zionists, yet, the splc, aclu, naacp do the same thing as you are accusing zionists of; thought po’lice, imprisonment, yet you want to shut up this jew on the net because you differ in opinion.
    C-r-a-zy-!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

    the n-word does hardly a racist make.
    my aunt is from the south and elder people use the word and kid around, as do african firsters with ‘cracker’, nobody seems to be offended in the least bit.

    when someone starts beating someone else, then there is an issue as the jew gal mentioned on her site.

    I see you hate these zionists.  Why bring up mlk? He said that anti-’zionism’ is anti-semitism.

    Now, now, dont be hypocrite!
    Gots ta git! Us trailer trash, conservatives have 10 babies, inbreed and have to get to bed at a decent hour! Har har har

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pad-Dar/100002515504977 Pad Dar

     One more thang! These kids went to a game, the colors of their team is/are black, so that is what they did, and all of this outrage? For what? They are kids. The ones showing the greater ‘tolerance’ is not here. I see you hate these zioinsts! Yet, these people are the ones that use that word, incessively! (tolerance)

  • Anonymous

    My goodness, Pad Dar! Why would any of us — left, right, or anywhere between — want to destroy the country we love? That would be equivalent to drilling holes in or setting fire to the lifeboat we count on to save our lives. We all want to make our nation more secure, more effective, and more honor- and respect-worthy. Our disagreements are not about that common goal, but about the best way to achieve that goal.

    For persons of all perspectives to acknowledge our common goal is to provide a foundation for reconciliation and mutual, cooperative endeavor toward achieving that goal. Of course there will be tension and “minority demurrals,” but at least we will be united in commitment to our common interest: a strong, secure, effective, and honorable nation.

    For persons of different perspectives to deny our mutual commitment to the common goal is to destroy the foundation and deny the opportunity to cooperate. The more our nation’s citizens focus on hostility toward other citizens, rather than on achievement of the common goal, the more fragmented and thus the weaker our nation becomes.

    None of us, liberal or conservative, is treasonous. None of us wants our nation to be drained of vitality and fail. All of us want our nation to be strong, secure, honorable, and effective. Our disagreements are not about our common commitment to that goal, but about the best way to achieve it. We should work with one another, not against one another.

  • numol

    this is a troll comment, just another part of your bid to frame this as “just a bunch of people searching for ways to be offended”.  you argue very dishonestly and you’re wrong.

  • numol

    right, so people should be tolerant of extremely hurtful racist displays?  NOPE, WRONG.

  • numol

    …wait, actually it may not *quite* be that simple because i think you need racial privilege to be racist [and that can be complicated, and as a white person i don't feel qualified to get into that aside from talking about other whites -- hell it's possible we're the only ones who can really be racist, i don't know].  so AFAIK everyone doing this was at least doing something very messed up, and the white students doing this were definitely being racist.  sorry if i’m just whitesplaining/keep messing up here.

  • numol

    sure seems like blackface to me — why *would* any of these details make it NOT blackface?

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