Student's MLK Tribute Sparks Controversy

[Anonymous]

A second grader in Colorado picked MLK to do a presentation on for history day. he dressed up as MLK, including painting his face brown. School officials wouldn't let him participate and asked his parents to leave.

http://www.krdo.com/community/31073392/detail.html

I understand that in the past, there was some group htat painted their faces black to make fun of African Americans. But obviously, this kid wasn't painting his face to make fun of African Americans - he was trying to dress up as the historical figure he was representing. And now its all blown out of proportion...

[Anonymous]

The kid doesn't understand the implications of this, but surely the parents would, right? Or do they live under a rock?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The kid doesn't understand the implications of this, but surely the parents would, right? Or do they live under a rock?

I was born and raised in Colorado. African Americans are a minority in most of the suburbs and the entire state. The African Americans I grew up with were just like me, so I had no concept of race and racism until I moved away. So, yes, it is quite probable the parents would never think anyone would find it offensive, because they themselves did not do it to be offensive. Geez, the kid dressed like the man he was doing a report on. What if a African American put on a white wig to be like President Washington? Would that be offensive to the white people? Not at all.

I also have never heard of the group from decades ago that painted their faces black. Much of the population doesn't reseach every act that was done once that someone might find offensive.

[Anonymous]

OMG -- these two pp's are not very bright..
neither are this kids parents...
poor kid..he had no idea...
by the way...black people putting on a white wig would not be offensive...
i don't know how many black folks you know...but our hair does turn gray and white...sheesh...
as for black face:

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

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfiNT6AKG0s

[Anonymous]

I don't think the Black makeup was necessary. All the kid needed was a suit and a copy of an MLK speech.

You don't need to paint or makeup your face for people to get who you are portraying.

[Anonymous]

Seems like the better response would have been to take the kid aside and have him wash his face, then explain it to him later.

[Anonymous]

Bullshit

Those parents knew exactly what they were doing.

It's the school's fault in this case for assigning such an inane project.

Furthermore, if Coloradans were so evolved, they'd find other exemplary, historical AA figures.

Why stop at MLK
all
the
time???

I suppose, according to us white folks, he WAS the only one?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kid doesn't understand the implications of this, but surely the parents would, right? Or do they live under a rock?

I was born and raised in Colorado. African Americans are a minority in most of the suburbs and the entire state. The African Americans I grew up with were just like me, so I had no concept of race and racism until I moved away. So, yes, it is quite probable the parents would never think anyone would find it offensive, because they themselves did not do it to be offensive. Geez, the kid dressed like the man he was doing a report on. What if a African American put on a white wig to be like President Washington? Would that be offensive to the white people? Not at all.

I also have never heard of the group from decades ago that painted their faces black. Much of the population doesn't reseach every act that was done once that someone might find offensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kid doesn't understand the implications of this, but surely the parents would, right? Or do they live under a rock?

I was born and raised in Colorado. African Americans are a minority in most of the suburbs and the entire state. The African Americans I grew up with were just like me, so I had no concept of race and racism until I moved away. So, yes, it is quite probable the parents would never think anyone would find it offensive, because they themselves did not do it to be offensive. Geez, the kid dressed like the man he was doing a report on. What if a African American put on a white wig to be like President Washington? Would that be offensive to the white people? Not at all.

I also have never heard of the group from decades ago that painted their faces black. Much of the population doesn't reseach every act that was done once that someone might find offensive.

Um, what? Are you trying to say that if you grow up in an all white neighborhood or if all the African Americans you know are "just like" you , then you have no need to understand history?

Good lord.

[Anonymous]

When I played people with different skin colors in school plays or skits, I never covered myself in makeup to imitate their skin color. Neither did anyone else in all my years of schooling.

It's unnecessary and you can't disregard history when you're discussing why it can be offensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems like the better response would have been to take the kid aside and have him wash his face, then explain it to him later.

If you read the article...the school asked him to wash his face...the parents refused...made a big stink...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the Black makeup was necessary. All the kid needed was a suit and a copy of an MLK speech.

You don't need to paint or makeup your face for people to get who you are portraying.

I agree. But I recall that when I did a book report in second grade for the book Magic for Marigold, I made a blond wig (using an old St Patricks' day green hat and yellow string) so I could look like the blonde Marigold. (I have dark brown hair.) I braided it and everything -- put a ton of work into it for a 2-minute presentation, so it would be authentic.

I know it is different because of the racial context, and really his parents ought to have known better and/or not objected when the school stepped in ... but I can see how the kid would think that going for added realism would be good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the Black makeup was necessary. All the kid needed was a suit and a copy of an MLK speech.

You don't need to paint or makeup your face for people to get who you are portraying.

I agree. But I recall that when I did a book report in second grade for the book Magic for Marigold, I made a blond wig (using an old St Patricks' day green hat and yellow string) so I could look like the blonde Marigold. (I have dark brown hair.) I braided it and everything -- put a ton of work into it for a 2-minute presentation, so it would be authentic.

I know it is different because of the racial context, and really his parents ought to have known better and/or not objected when the school stepped in ... but I can see how the kid would think that going for added realism would be good.

It makes sense in the eyes of an innocent child. I think we can all understand that. Unfortunately it has a history which is very upsetting to a lot of people, which we also should understand..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kid doesn't understand the implications of this, but surely the parents would, right? Or do they live under a rock?

I was born and raised in Colorado. African Americans are a minority in most of the suburbs and the entire state. The African Americans I grew up with were just like me, so I had no concept of race and racism until I moved away. So, yes, it is quite probable the parents would never think anyone would find it offensive, because they themselves did not do it to be offensive. Geez, the kid dressed like the man he was doing a report on. What if a African American put on a white wig to be like President Washington? Would that be offensive to the white people? Not at all.

I also have never heard of the group from decades ago that painted their faces black. Much of the population doesn't reseach every act that was done once that someone might find offensive.

African Americans are a minority across the US...

You clearly don't understand the implications of "black face," but your ignorance is not an excuse.

[Anonymous]

Knee jerk ovrler resction everything is racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kid doesn't understand the implications of this, but surely the parents would, right? Or do they live under a rock?

I was born and raised in Colorado. African Americans are a minority in most of the suburbs and the entire state. The African Americans I grew up with were just like me, so I had no concept of race and racism until I moved away. So, yes, it is quite probable the parents would never think anyone would find it offensive, because they themselves did not do it to be offensive. Geez, the kid dressed like the man he was doing a report on. What if a African American put on a white wig to be like President Washington? Would that be offensive to the white people? Not at all.

I also have never heard of the group from decades ago that painted their faces black. Much of the population doesn't reseach every act that was done once that someone might find offensive.

White hair isn't an exclusive trait of white people. People of all races can and do have white hair in old age. You didn't know that?