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ASU "Forward Thinking"

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Arizona State University officials are asking football fans not to wear face paint of any kind after some students, unsettled by images of fans with their faces painted black at a recent home game, complained of racial insensitivity.


Leaders of the Valley's African-American community and the Black African Coalition at ASU last week hadcalled for a ban on black face paint, which they said recalled the use of "blackface" in the racist minstrel shows of the 19th century that stereotyped African-Americans.


The controversy followed a Sept. 25 "blackout" game promotion in which the university encouraged fans to wear black to match ASU's uniforms.


After initially delaying action, the Athletic Department posted a statement Tuesday on ASU's website that said: "As an inclusive and forward-thinking university, it is important for us to foster an environment in which everyone feels safe and accepted. Therefore, we discourage the use of face paint at any event, whether the theme is black, maroon, gold or white, and ask our fans to show their Sun Devil Pride in other ways."


It was unclear Wednesday whether fans showing up at ASU athletic events in face paint would be asked to remove it or be barred entry.


Kevin Galvin, an ASU spokesman, told The Republic that the university had no comment beyond its statements.


A handful of students who wore black face paint when the Sun Devils hosted UCLA said they did so to support ASU.


"I'm trying to help clear up that this is not blackface," Tim Schodt said. "This is taking face paint and putting it on your face. This is not a terrible misrepresentation of African-Americans. This is a simple football tradition."


But Kyle Denman and Chinenye Okudoh of the Black African Coalition said that while black clothing and stickers are appropriate displays of team spirit, blackface paint is hurtful.


The outrage spread over the weekend to the Valley's African-American community. On Saturday, civil-rights activist the Rev. Jarrett Maupin sent a letter to ASU President Michael Crow asking for an immediate ban.


Maupin said he had received calls from parents and students who said they were offended and intimidated.


Maupin said he felt there was a pattern of racial and cultural insensitivity at ASU. He cited a January fraternity party centered on Martin Luther King Day in which a few ASU students dressed in hip-hop clothes and drank from hollowed-out watermelon cups.


Maupin said it was time to implement a mandatory cultural-awareness course for new students. The student Black African Coalition has called for a similar mandatory training on what is one of the nation's largest campuses by enrollment, with an estimated 82,000 students.


Galvin said university officials have spoken with the students who wore black-painted faces to the game.


"ASU prides itself on being a diverse community and regardless of what the intentions of those individuals may have been, we recognize the racial overtones that such behavior carries and we regret any offense that this behavior may have caused," he said in a statement. "University officials have engaged students on the issue to ensure they understand why these actions were perceived as disrespectful and to reinforce our commitment to an inclusive campus community."




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I'm offended by Nabisco Saltine Crackers! I think Nabisco should remove the term "crackers" from all snack foods.

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Best way to conforn to there idiotic new politically correct policy is for everyone to were the opposing teams colors and apparel!

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whats next , covert ops and special force night ops not being allowed to use black face paint for camouflage ... Society is turning into a bunch of weak minded idiots that cry about everything

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This sounds similar to what the University of Texas at Austin would do if pressured by a minority. Troubled times ahead, troubled times.

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Kinda curious as to what method of enforcement they plan for gameday..........hose and towel station at the gate???

What about opposing team fans that show up??? Free pass??

 

What a mess.........what about white face paint????

 

Oh my gosh.......

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what is stupid about these idiots making it a race thing is that traditional Black face was not just an all black face ... it usually was accompanied by white/ and or red around the lips during minstrel shows...

 

These students are not wearing wigs , nor outlining their lips in red or white... so the context of painting their face black would be nothing other than the support of their team...

 

To many ignorant people always trying to make mountains of Mole hills...

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If you remember the first season with the Coyotes, someone decided it was racist when the team asked the fans to all wear white for a "White Out" it was something they had always done when they were the Winnipeg Jets.

 

Soon it will be illegal to say the names of various colors.

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Why are there some that can dish it, but if they get it back they can't take it. You see it in Comedy shows but for some reason if it was flip flop it is consider racist.

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Paint their faces "Bright White", and someone will piss and moan about that too. Thats the thing about Liberalism. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

 

I just saw an article that stated the Arizona Universities are the one of the most LGBT tolerant in the nation. Dress up like a flaming Homo, and nobody would say a word.

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I'm offended by every single wimpy, spineless, whinny, crybaby with a stupid cause to bitch about and change some rules to to fit their little niche in life. But it falls on deaf ears cause I'm the wrong color and I'm male. If someone gets offended by paint or some stupid words or whatever else they can invent to get offended by then life has to be just miserable!!! Here's some advice..... Get over it and yourself! Grow a backbone and go live your life and quit trying to tell others how to live theirs! Rant over..... Thanks

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