Example: NY Politician sees Blackface as most see Native Mascots
Does this change your viewpoint either way?
http://ictmncdn1.tgpstage1.com/sites...ikind-feat.jpg
Blackface-Wearing New York Politician Says he Won't Dress as an Indian
ICTMN Staff
February 27, 2013
There's a consensus in the United States of America that the wearing of blackface is a racist act. It's something you just don't do, and if you do it you can expect to be rightly pilloried. For American Indians, it's often frustrating that racism toward Native Americans that feels very overt is somehow harder for the mainstream to detect.
With some ill-advised costume choices, and a thoroughly unapologetic apology, a New York State Assemblyman is doing his part to connect the dots.
Dov Hikind of Brooklyn is being rightly pilloried for hosting a Purim party wearing blackface. Costume parties are a tradition of the Jewish celebration of Purim, and Hikind had decided to go to his in the costume of "basketball player," which necessitated an orange jersey-ish garment, an afro wig and dark makeup.
Hikind's getup earned him plenty of press. His initial response was a shrug of acknowledgement in a post to his blog entitled "It's Purim. People Dress Up."
"I am intrigued that anyone who understands Purim—or for that matter understands me—would have a problem with this," he wrote. "This is political correctness to the absurd."
Hikind was fixated on the idea that the costume only seemed racist because people didn't understand Purim. Also on Monday he held a news conference to address the criticism -- but didn't. He explained again that costumes are part of the Purim celebration. [[The "it's not racist, it's a costume" argument is one Natives hear every Halloween.) In addition to explaining what a costume is, he offered a classic first-draft non-apology:
"Anyone who was offended -- I'm sorry that they were offended, that was not the intention."
Hikind posted a more genuine apology to his blog on Tuesday. Unfortuately for him, the New Yorker and the Daily Show were still reacting to Monday's news.
African Americans have plenty of cause to be incensed by Hikind's ignorance -- but so too do American Indians. On Monday, when Hikind was still trying to defend himself with the "political correctness to the absurd" argument, he told a New York Times reporter that the outcry was making him rethink his plans for next year's Purim.
"Next year I was thinking I’d be an Indian," he said. "But you know, I’ve changed my mind about that. I don’t think that’s a good idea. Somebody will be offended."
Of course, it's hard to know whether [[or to what extent) he was joking about dressing as an Indian. [[It is also hard to know exactly which kind of Indian he had in mind, but that's beside the point.) If he didn't know blackface was a no-no, there is really no telling how unenlightened his thinking may be when it comes to Native stereotypes.
Read more athttp://indiancountrytodaymedianetwor...-indian-147900
A Heartfelt and Sincere Apology
Some people have marveled at what they’ve characterized as my insensitivity in wearing the costume I wore on Purim. My initial reaction in learning of this was one of shock because my intention was never to hurt or make fun of anyone. Those who know me—in politics and in my personal life—already know this. But others who don’t know me have expressed hurt and outrage, so I am writing to address that once and for all. Unintentional as they were, I recognize now that the connotations of my Purim costume were deeply offensive to many.
I am sincerely sorry that I have hurt anyone. I apologize for the pain that I have caused anyone by this incident, and by any remarks that I have made in connection with it. It genuinely pains me that I have pained any human being. That’s not who I am, not who I want to be. I sincerely hope that this note will soothe any hurt feelings.
http://dovhikind.blogspot.com/
Why did MDCR do this? Get the facts here
Guest column: Keep the pride, change the logo
Guest Column — 25 February 2013
By Dan Levy/ Michigan Department of Civil Rights Dan Levy is the chief legal officer of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights
When the Michigan Department of Civil Rights asked the U.S. Department of Education to end the use of American Indian mascots, we expected that many people’s first reaction would be to defend the traditions they represent. Pride runs deep in our state and nowhere is that pride more evident than in our local public schools.
But people who’ve gotten past their initial reaction and read our supporting argument know that we are not saying that every school with an American Indian mascot should be ashamed of it. [[Read it.) In fact, we acknowledge that the opposite is true. Mascots were often chosen with the intent of paying tribute to American Indians, providing a unifying symbol under all could gather in shared spirit.
But good intentions only go so far.
New studies establish that harm is caused to students even when the mascots are limited only to positive images. These harms include decreased academic performance and lower feelings of self-esteem, self-worth and achievement. When we know an action [[or in this case, a symbol) causes harm to the very students we are called upon to protect and nurture, change is needed.
We believe schools that recognize this new body of research and act in the interests of students can always be proud of their mascots — past, present and future. We also believe that if a school insists on keeping its mascot after discovering doing so harms students, it is that school and not this department who tarnishes the mascot.
Many have questioned why we took our complaint to the federal government. We view this as the next step in a conversation that started decades ago. In 1988, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission issued a report calling for an end to American Indian mascots; then passed a similar resolution in 2002. The State Board of Education did likewise in 2003, 2006 and 2010.
Asking for the creation of a national standard allows the decision to be made by experts, removed from the community strife these discussions cause. We seek a remedy that acknowledges the information requiring change is new, and thus does not order schools to change everything overnight. We would like to see name changes as soon as possible, but gym floors and various uniforms changed only when otherwise replaced.
What about the Fighting Irish, others ask? First, the schools Irish founders chose the name and non-Irish fans don’t wear Irish face-paint and costumes to “play” Irish.
*****
School names listed in a document from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights’ complaint to the federal government over American Indian mascots:
Athens Indians |
Gladstone Braves |
Remus Chippewa Hills Warriors |
Bay City Western Warriors |
Grass Lake Warriors |
Sandusky Redskins |
Belding Redskins |
Hartford Indians |
Saranac Redskins |
Birmingham Brother Rice Warriors |
Kinde-North Huron Warriors |
Brownstown Woodhaven Warriors |
Lansing Sexton Big Reds |
Tawas [[City) Area Braves |
Camden-Frontier Redskins |
Marquette Redmen/Redettes |
Tecumseh Indians |
Capac Chiefs |
Morley-Stanwood Mohawks |
Tekonsha Indians |
Cheboygan Chiefs |
New Boston Huron Chiefs |
Utica Chieftains |
Chesaning Indians |
Newberry Indians |
Walled Lake Western Warriors |
Chippewa Valley Big Reds |
Paw Paw Redskins |
White Cloud Indians |
Clinton Redskins |
Plymouth Canton Chiefs |
White Pigeon Chiefs |
Dowagiac Chieftains |
- See more at: http://bridgemi.com/2013/02/guest-co....AG9tgFaq.dpuf