Students Asked to Dress ‘African American’ or as Safari Animals for Black History Day

Posted by Kevin Farrell on Mar 20, 2012 in Oh Hell No! | 88 comments

Western Union Elementary School students in Waxhaw, North Carolina spent much of February studying Black History. The entire learning cycle was capped off with a Black History Day celebration on February 28.

Black History Day at WUES was marked by speakers from 8-10 AM, and the traditional wearing of “African American attire” by students.

But wait, wait, wait. Before you freak out, give school officials the benefit of the doubt here. Students who didn’t own any “African American attire” were still able to participate! They just had to dress as wild animals native to Africa.

Yikes.

What’s the point of celebrating – or hell, even learning about – diversity if school administrators are unable to ascertain the difference between Black, African American, and African? Or for that matter, the difference between black people and African animals?

Stay classy, North Carolina.

***Update: We’re totally on the news in Charlotte, NC for bringing this to attention.

***Update: We got a cranky email from someone who wants credit for the image. She can have it, I guess? For the record, the image was emailed to us yesterday (with no further information) from a closeted reader who didn’t want to be credited by a gay blog.

***One last update. We made up. A happy ending! Except for, you know, the fact that there are all of those people out there that still don’t understand the difference between ethnicity, culture and wild animals.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

Ummm…. I really don’t see any issue with this? It would make sense for a school to ask for children to wear African American attire which would be symbolic of…. dear I say it… The black “African American” people they are learning about! O_O!!!! And if they don’t have African American attire, because that’s understandable… They could wear clothing that represents the African American people and is easily understandable by other young children, such as animals from their ancestors homeland!… OMG! Stop the presses! I mean, we are talking about elementary students. Why was this even written?

http://www.facebook.com/people/Erick-M-McNeal/557229815 Erick M McNeal

Because not all black people are from Africa. That is the most ignorant counter rant I’ve ever read.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

Ummm… Black history month isn’t just a celebration of black people from america yes… But it ALSO celebrates African roots in African Americans. So it would make sense that the kids would learn about Africa and gain an appreciation for African culture whether all black people come from Africa or not. And… Yeah… I think if you are black… Chances are either you are from Africa or you have family lineage that stems from there…. And guess what people learn about when it comes to history? I don’t think I need to spell it out for you. And yes there are white people who come from Africa as well, BUT the flyer did not say that students needed to wear “black peoples attire” it stated African American attire, which would encompass ALL African Americans, including the white ones. Not to mention the fact that it is not African American history month, it is BLACK history month, so that excludes the white Africans and includes Africans that aren’t from America, and those who have African lineage and are not specifically from Africa.

Erin Williams

Not necessarily. There are a great many black people who originate from Jamaica, Haiti, etc.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

Those people who are from Haiti and Jamaica come from ancestors who were slaves and were brought to those places from Africa.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=24707380 Aaron Daniel

But lots of us don’t want to be called African American and no longer identify with Africa in any way.
http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

Just because you don’t identify with Africa doesn’t mean you don’t still have African lineage.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1664732393 Jim Self

OK- African American attire is just everyday clothing- African Americans are people who are now in America- They should have said attire from historic Africa.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

You’re right. I can see you point there. I mean, yes, it could have been worded better, but I don’t think that takes away from the message that this support is bring to black history month.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Ashlei-Kennybrew/1517134772 Ashlei Kennybrew

You do know that African American attire is whatever you want to wear attire, we do not dress the same. What do you think white attire is? -cricket, cricket- Because you all dress different. You can dress according to traditional african wear which also vary dependent on what part of africa you are from. There is no attire for african americans just whatever you decide to put on.

http://www.facebook.com/stepford Stephen Frost

But surely African-Americans are. The clue is in the name.

Tomi Ogundayo

Charlize Theron is African, if she becomes a citizen she is African American. You’re point is irrelevant Stephen.

http://www.facebook.com/ewubbena Eric Wubbena

Not all people in Africa are black either. this isnt a black/white racial issue.

http://twitter.com/TylerTremallose Tyler Tremallose

There are white people that are from Africa too. Remember the movie Color Of Friendship? You probably haven’t seen it or heard it but watch it and it will give you a whole new look on this.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000451850693 Ashley Valencia

Are you serious? Your rant is full of ignorance and fail.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

Ummm… Black history month isn’t just a celebration of black people
from America yes… But it ALSO celebrates African roots in African
Americans. So it would make sense that the kids would learn about Africa
and gain an appreciation for African culture whether all black people
come from Africa or not. And… Yeah… I think if you are black…
Chances are either you are from Africa or you have family lineage that
stems from there…. And guess what people learn about when it comes to
history? I don’t think I need to spell it out for you. And yes there are
white people who come from Africa as well, BUT the flyer did not say
that students needed to wear “black peoples attire” it stated African
American attire, which would encompass ALL African Americans, including
the white ones. Not to mention the fact that it is not African American
history month, it is BLACK history month, so that excludes the white
Africans and includes Africans that aren’t from America, and those who
have African lineage and are not specifically from Africa.

http://twitter.com/woojordan Jordan Johnson

“African American” attire is hoodrat attire. They just worded it in a way where it sounded politically correct. They might as well said “come dressed as if you lived in the hood”. Just replaced “African American” with homosexual and tell me how you’d feel.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

”They” did not say come dressed as a hood rat, you did. Where as they might have worded that incorrectly, you have flat out insulted African Americans, who do not all dress like hood rats. Comparing homosexuality to black history makes no sense, because “homosexual” attire (also known as normal clothing) has nothing to do with homosexual culture, where as traditional African attire has everything to do with African culture.

http://www.facebook.com/smileyBwB Heidi Shewu

What in the world is “African Attire?” Please explain! And if you did not notice they are celebrating BLACK HISTORY DAY not African American Day…To capitalize what McNeal already spelled out for you: not all black people are from Africa or United States..

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

Okay back to using common sense, African people, wear different clothing than American people. SOME African American people do as well. Those who actually practice the traditions of their home land and are in touch with their culture, do wear different clothing. And you are right, It is Black history month. But yes… All black people are from Africa in some way. Whether they were actually born their or they have family lineage stemming from Africa. There might be black people in other places, such as Haiti and Jamaica, but they didn’t originate from there. Like black people in America they were brought to these places in the slave trade. That being said, there are also white’s from African, but they not only did not originate from their, but even if they did, BLACK history month is a celebration of lets say… People of color… Who happen to have African American ancestry which would exclude those other people, but include blacks who are from other countries such as Haiti, Jamaica, Europe, etc. As for why they would ask kids to dress in “African American attire” and not just “African attire” or “African Culture attire” I don’t know. Maybe it was a typo, or maybe it was thought that parents would understand that better than “Black people attire” or “Native African attire”

http://www.facebook.com/sammael88 Matthew Williamson

You do realize Africa is a vast area that has many different peoples and cultures in it, right? And that they dress pretty similarly to us nowadays? And that substituting animal prints for any of those cultural legacies is extremely offensive? Nevermind, I doubt you see any of this. You don’t seem to see much outside of making excuses for blatant racism. “Maybe it was a typo” Are you serious?

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

Are we discussing the same thing here? Just because Africans dress similarly to us now has nothing to do with history… Which is what they are being taught… Traditional African attire which is most likely what they meant to say, is completely different from what we wear today. And substituting traditional African clothing for clothing that has traditional African animals on it to represent African? Yes that’s deeply offensive… And yes, people are fallible, they make mistakes, perhaps when this was being typed up the person typing it didn’t see how that line made little sense or could be taken offensively and printed it. It happens.
Anonymous

Yes, we DO in fact know that politically incorrect mistakes happen. Everyone understands that. You are being targeted because people cannot figure out why you are trying so hard to defend something that is obviously in error.
http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

Because it is ridiculous to make such a huge deal over such a small issue…. It was obviously a mistake and the intention was not to offend anyone, and those with common sense could look right past the mistake to the true message. So why make this into a bigger deal than it really is?
http://www.facebook.com/sammael88 Matthew Williamson

The entire problem with this is that it is about latent racism that the people perpetrating are completely unaware of how offensive what they are saying is. Their intent, which no one actually knows and is something you are reading into this with no basis in reality, is completely besides the point. As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The fact that you don’t understand why this insidious and pervasive form of racism is a problem speaks volumes about yourself.
http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

If you were to use common sense and relied on other sources of information that this stupid half assed blog, you would see that the intent of the message was made perfectly clear. The report has been picked up by reputable news sites that actually got whole story form the school. Perhaps you should bases your half asses assumptions on the situation on actual research on the subject instead of just trying to perpetuate this idea of racism on an obvious mistake that wasn’t meant in any way to be racist and in fact has to do with a subject that is anything but racist…. This speaks volumes about you…

http://twitter.com/proseb4bros Lauren Jaxson

There’s a helluva lot more to Africa than animal print. This isn’t Disney.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

Well duh there is a hell of a lot more to Africa than just animal print… But these are ELEMENTARY STUDENTS, they are young CHILDREN who most likely do not know or care about the vast history of Africa or its people. To them, Africa is easily recognizable as the place where elephants, zebras, lions, etc come from…

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WJVTRVNY22OFVMEXWTQXGIPYSQ mttcase

As a resident of Carolina, I will say that not all of NC is as stupid as that.
http://www.facebook.com/maleia.ty Maleia Ty

I agree with Michael Harris here. I don’t see how this is offensive. I mean, *maaaaybe* that it said “African American instead of just Africans, but isn’t Black History month mostly focused on Black Americans and their achievements to further our society?

Also, you aren’t going to abolish inequality by forcing people to treat you special. Having things like an entire month for your race, scholarships to college, societal clique groups; all those things are just screaming that you want to be viewed differently than everyone else because you were born differently.

http://twitter.com/joethearcher Joe Jones

Please tell me that you’re joking right. You can’t figure out the numerous things wrong with this posting. Here let me spell some out for you.

1) Let’s start with the basic premise of the poster, “dress like an African American.” First of all what the hell does that mean? Last time I checked African Americans dressed just like everyone else. And if the intention was dress like a racist stereotype of an African American, well there’s your first problem.

2) If the poster actually meant dress like a “black” person, (which in case you were wondering not all black people are ‘african american’) then it shows a complete ignorance of a race that you are allegedly trying to commemorate/honor/support/etc. Not to mention that dress like a black person is just as ignorant as dress like an “African American.” If you hadn’t heard black people wear the same clothing that every other race of people do.

3) After the ridiculousness of the premise of dress like a _______ the audacity to say if you don’t have ‘african american clothes wear animal print.” SERIOUSLY? Because Black History Month is NOT about African wildlife and there is no way in HELL dressing like any manner of wildlife is EVER going to honor people of any particular race. Beside the fact that many ‘African Americans’ haven’t been to African ever in their lives, and some have families who’ve been in this country for 100s of years. How is dressing like the animals of some land they have very little if any connect to suppose to represent them?

4) I’m not even going to comment on the utter stupidity of several of your comments, but I must admit that “forcing people to treat you special” was an amazing low in an already vapid and misguided response. I’d be delighted to know how commemorating the history of a race that has been marginalized, mistreated, and abused for hundreds of years is “forcing” anyone to treat them special.

/end rant

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

Well, I don’t know about you. But I lived next to some ACTUAL African Americans. As in, the mother and father were from Africa and moved here and had children. These children had also been to Africa and they maintained a lot of their culture. And no… They did not dress the same as we did. Now this might just have been a special case, but I have seen this in many African American’s. They still wear some traditional or semi traditional (changed to better suit their new home and climate) clothing that honored where they came from. So yeah… I’m just saying. for what it is, being told to little kids, who probably don’t care or understand anyway, I am not really offended by this, and I am mulatto. I think for young kids, if they can make easy connections to the information then it is good enough for them. Zebra’s and elephants make a connection to Africa(n), mixed with the right messages I don’t see the harm. Maybe the wording wasn’t exactly the best, but I don’t feel it is offensive.
http://unicornbooty.com Unicorn Booty

Wonderfully spoken, Joe.

http://twitter.com/neogrinch neogrinch

i USED TO
Sassy NOLa

You don’t get it because you’re obviously an idiot. What is African American attire, idiot? And when you mount a defense against scholarships for German and Irish American students or legacy scholarships to schools that exclude(d) blacks, you’ll be taken seriously. So trite and ignorant.

http://www.facebook.com/rocky.spencer1 Rocky Spencer

I think Unicorn Booty is way off on this one. I don’t see any issue with this. From my reading it, it seems to me they wanted everyone to feel welcome to participate. In this economy, some people don’t have and cannot afford specific African-American aka Native African clothing. Without embarrassing those less fortunate, they were given what I consider a reasonable alternative. Why make something out of nothing?! Isn’t there enough real controversy out there? Leave North Carolina and its reasonable programs alone. You have really lost your focus on this one.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Erica-Cook/100000628613592 Erica Cook

What is the difference between African American Attire and just American attire? Why even bring this up? And as a gay person if the school said to show support by having everyone dress gay I’d be offended because how the hell do they have the right to even say what dressing it is.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

The reason the gay comparison doesn’t work is because clothing is not part of gay cultural tradition dating back to the beginning of man… Maybe the term “African American attire” was not worded as well as it could have been. But I think the obvious message here is that the children were supposed to dress in African Cultural attire. Since homosexuals do not have cultural attire that represents them this doesn’t work. So it is easily offend-able when you interchange the words, because they aren’t meant to be interchanged. We can clearly see a difference in how Africans dress compared to Americans, we can’t however see that difference in gays and straights (Normally).

http://www.facebook.com/sammael88 Matthew Williamson

You put an awful lot of words in these people mouths in order to try to rationalize the racism. “Was not worded as well as it could have been”. Yeah, they said it wrong. That’s why its offensive and racist. Not exactly brain surgery. Your argument is incredibly ignorant. The gay comparison is just as valid because there is no universal “african cultural attire”, there is an insanely huge variety of cultures on the continent and yet this school seems to think something like a dashiki will cover it all. And have you seen any recent photos from Africa, even some remote, destitute villages? There is no clear difference from Americans in how they dress. Pants and brightly colored t-shirts hardly scream “African cultural attire” to me. Reducing black history month to some ridiculous caricature is offensive and if you can’t see that, there is something wrong with you.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

I think something is wrong with you. If someone did not word this correctly that doesn’t automatically mean it is racist or that it was intended for racist purposes. Intelligent people who have enough common sense can see that. Obviously, African culture now a days is more similar to ours but this is BLACK HISTORY MONTH, Not BLACK PEOPLE TODAY MONTH, because there is such a vast amount of culture within all of the different countries in African you could easily say “Where traditional African attire”, and yes they did not say “Traditional African attire”. But I think for the purpose of what they were doing… It is pretty much implied… No one is saying that just one culture needs to be represented. Again, this is for elementary students…. Your argument is flawed and borderline retarded….
Anonymous

You are really making an @$$ of yourself. “African American attire” DOES NOT “imply” or generalize to “traditional African attire.” It just doesn’t.
http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

The only one making an ass of themselves here is you. you can use context clues based on the information given to infer what was actually meant compared to what was typed. If you read the actual story on any reputable news site, you would know that the intention was for the memo to mean traditional African attire and was just worded awkwardly. Apparently the parents were smart enough to get that, I’m not sure why you aren’t.
http://www.facebook.com/sammael88 Matthew Williamson

Your stupidity is truly astounding. I’m in awe, I think you’ve managed to deplete my own intelligence with the “logic” you try to use in your statements. Crawl back in your hole and turn on Fox News, reality is obviously too scary of a place for simpletons like yourself.
http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

Please… Go die… You are by far the worst person I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with. Your stupidity knows no bounds and you obviously are so closed minded that it blinds you to anything but your own opinion. Get over yourself and move on with you life like everyone else has on this topic… You are so childish to even try to continue this it is crazy… Like seriously… I think you might be crazy. Goodbye.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Ashlei-Kennybrew/1517134772 Ashlei Kennybrew

You do understand that Africa is a very big continent that contains hundreds even thousands of different cultures. & even people who exist in the same culture do not all dress the same. You could come to school as an ancient egyptian & you would be considered to be in African attire( which doesnt exist). I am an african american & i wear high waisted pants and lots of crop tops. Is that african american attire??? i also wear shorts and a tshirt. Is that african american attire?? What is white people attire? You must the very same type who think that all British people wear lots of tweed & smoke pipes. Or maybe you are the type to believe that all Irish people wear green everyday & are all redheaded leprechauns. You know what black people at my school wear?? The very same things that white people wear & vice versa. There is no specific African american attire. You sir may want to lay in your ignorance, but I am here to save you with some truth, guidance, and enlightenment.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Ashlei-Kennybrew/1517134772 Ashlei Kennybrew

*be

Anonymous

Unfortunately it seems that you are the one who has missed the point on this one. As Erica said, there is no such thing as “African American” attire. African American and traditional African are NOT the same, and yes, it is extremely worrisome that some people do not understand that. If I were you I would read a little more carefully before commenting on someone else’s lost focus.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=58405523 Rich Michael

As a white teacher in an elementary school in Philadelphia, PA (predominately Hispanic and African American students), I hope I can clear this up. Race and culture are two different things. ”African American attire” doesn’t exist. This is saying “attire of the race.” Races don’t have common attire. African CULTURAL or ETHNIC attire DOES exist. This is saying “attire of the culture.” Cultures can have common attire. I do also find the “animal print” option offensive. Most African CULTURAL attire seems to be based on patterns, not prints. Dressing as an animal that comes from the same geographical region as a specific group of people is not a way to honor that people. And the worst part is, most of the students won’t understand any of this. They will go along with it because they are ignorant and impressionable and they will learn to find this acceptable and subsequently pass it on to others.
http://www.facebook.com/KryptonianBaby Justin Castellano

For those not seeing a problem with this offensive request even though unicorn booty is a sight that supports the fight against LGBT discrimination: Replace every instance of the word “african” with “homosexual.” Now how much does it offend you, hypocrite? They might as well have asked people to come in blackface and have a huck and jive dance off.

http://www.facebook.com/sammael88 Matthew Williamson

Don’t forget to replace “animal print clothing” with “something sequined or a tutu”
http://www.facebook.com/stepford Stephen Frost

Being over-sensitive, when people mean well, doesn’t help either cause. They asked people to dress like people might in African culture or dress like an African animal. Nobody claimed that all black people were of African descent, but they chose that aspect as a focus and a theme. Of course, nobody would get upset if someone was inaccurately called African-American, because it is considered politically correct, but go so far as to make a link between the word ‘African’ an the word ‘Africa’ and the whole world falls apart. There are far more important things to worry about. We should all be thankful that they celebrate at all – especially with such an effort being made. Finding racism and homophobia where there isn’t any, just causes resentment by people who can’t do anything right in the eyes of some people.

Anonymous

Then please, enlighten us, what exactly is “African American attire?” Plenty of people who consider themselves African Americans were born here and wear the same things other Americans wear. The letter was just unthinking and culturally insensitive. It was obviously a mistake, but a very telling mistake. I don’t understand why people are trying so hard to defend it. “Traditional African attire” =/= “African American attire.” That’s all there is to it.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=774441423 Vengrov Likeah Boss

ugh today I disagree with you. tribes in africa like tribes in america for native americans have all been known to kill something skin it and slap it on their ass and jump around a fire…so kids are wearing animal print clothing. and?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=658385714 Micron Cat

I’d like to see your source for this information, ‘cuz I haven’t been able to find this story anywhere else.
Anonymous

Yeah, there’s no problem here. Yes, not all black people are African American but obviously the theme is centered around specifically African Americans. The equivalent of this would be celebrating Oktoberfest by dressing in suspenders and eating bratwurst (which nobody raises any question about). Racism still exists and continues because people get upset and draw attention to trivial things like this. Probably also the reason why this is on unicornbooty.com and not a valid news site… Grow up America.

Sassy NOLa

Yes, that is why racism exists. What a thoughtful, astute analysis of the race problem. UGH. Always amazed at myself for being amazed by this stupidity.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Robyn-Venessa-Mazy/1303224949 Robyn Venessa Mazy

better line “African tribal attire” , but i would so rock a 70′s fro hahahha

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

LMFAO!

http://www.facebook.com/joshelder Josh Elder

I’m sorry but why are people upset about this? Fact of the matter is, African Americans are called AFRICAN Americans for a reason. It’s Black History Month, so you learn about Black History, which involves Africa (at the “start” of the lineage) I think this is a non-issue.
http://unicornbooty.com Unicorn Booty

Perfectly said, Rich. Thank you.
http://www.facebook.com/smileyBwB Heidi Shewu

OMG! Native African clothing IS NOT, and I repeat IT IS NOT African-American clothing..there is a HUGE difference between the two!!
Anonymous

It sounds to me like the school is trying. They may be a little off the mark, but attempting to celebrate diversity should be applauded even if they need to fine tune it a little. It sounds like they are trying to be inclusive. For kids, the thing they will remember the most is dressing up and having fun – so allowing them to have a variety of options gives them more of an opportunity to participate.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Erica-Cook/100000628613592 Erica Cook

I’m now envisioninga law suit that will be leaving a number of children set for collage. and in the words of my mother, when god was passing out brains they thought he said grains and decided they didn’t want any.
http://www.facebook.com/XwhyterabbitX Anthony Powers

u know i had to click on this one JUST to see if it was an SC school… surprise surprise…. it, wasn’t…. but not too far off. lol.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Lopez/632230510 Andrew Lopez

lol what’s “African American Attire”?

Dew Rags and grillz? Maybe some bling? Hahahaha I’d really love to see this little show.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=615572351 Michelina Percoco

This sounds like a fun event. Not racist.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Diana-Snow/100000637483707 Diana Snow

Well I guess if it is so acceptable for them to wear animal attire, any Hispanic culture day might include chili peppers, or donkeys? Because remember, all Hispanics come from Mexico. Maybe even the Chines culture day they could dress as ninjas, everyone from the Far East is Chinese. People are so stupid. Black people come from all over the world, and having bi racial children, I have learned that brown can be interpreted as a multitude of different races. African American day includes Haitians, Dominicans, Some South Americans, Africans, etc. The school should have included other Black cultures as an option and not suggest “farm” attire.

http://www.facebook.com/LordArtemis Michael Artemis Harris

You realize that all of those places you mentioned black people are from where slave trade routes where blacks from Africa where taken right? Just like blacks in America. So those people are not from those areas, they were implanted there by slavery.

Anonymous

First of all AFRICA is made up of many nations.

Animal print? REALLY ? and I suppose next you will tell us most modern African nations people wear Big stake bones in their hair, and drive cars like Fred Flintstone with their feet.

I know first hand from a trip to Ethiopia that they do indeed wear American Eagle , Nike, Puma, perhaps bootleg , but really no Animal print, even in the outback they wear normal looking clothes, like jeans and a T-shirt.

What you see on TV is the extreme version of different African nations more “tribal” look. Oh and in Ethiopia they drive the cars left over from the Soviet era in Ethiopia. They have their own national carrier with modern aircraft. etc…… No animal prints , No bones in the hair,

Again Africa is not a country. So to group all nations of the continent of Africa together is really an error.

African-American attire ? Whats African-American attire? I cant even reply to this one as it makes no sense ? If there is African-American (black)attire their must be “European-American attire (white)?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=42107228 Patrick Clementine

What do they mean by African American Attire, other than clothing suited to maybe rappers, divas, basketball players and other “stereotypical” African American attire African Americans dress like all other Americans. They should’ve had the kids do some research on black history and discuss with classmates. African Americans don’t all wear “animal” or other colorful print. Africans from Africa where colorful print but its not about Africa the motherland this is black history in America right?
Anonymous

Their hearts are/were in the right place. This isn’t something that is stemming from hate/racism, etc. You’re damned if you do, and you’re damned if you don’t.

Anonymous

*Sigh.* No, you can easily avoid being “damned” by simply not saying vapid things. Are you suggesting that it’s too much to ask for people to know that there is a difference between “African American attire” (which doesn’t exist) and “traditional African” attire (which is too varied to be generalized)? Please. This is not rocket science.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Ashlei-Kennybrew/1517134772 Ashlei Kennybrew

You do know that African American attire is whatever you want to wear attire, we do not dress the same. What do you think white attire is? -cricket, cricket- Because you all dress different. You can dress according to traditional african wear which also vary dependent on what part of africa you are from. There is no attire for african americans just whatever you decide to put on.There is no attire for Africans either. We all dress different.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ashlei-Kennybrew/1517134772 Ashlei Kennybrew

You do know that African American attire is whatever you want to wear attire, we do not dress the same. What do you think white attire is? -cricket, cricket- Because you all dress different. You can dress according to traditional african wear which also vary dependent on what part of africa you are from. There is no attire for african americans just whatever you decide to put on. There is also no certain attire for Africans. You know what a lot of africans wear? t-shirts and shorts. If you are in a modern city maybe a suit. Some wear dashikis, some wear nothing at all, we are all different we dont all dress the same. Just like all asians do not dress the same. You do realize Africa is a continent built upon hundreds of different cultures. You could came as an ancient egyptian and you would be dressing in “so called” african attire( which does not exist
http://www.facebook.com/people/Grey-Diamond/1547664306 Grey Diamond

No one on earth should be forced to wear animal print. Its just so ugly and very offensive for african american.
Kelly Snell

It’s on the Huffington Post, the Charlotte Observer and has been picked up by countless other news agencies.

And wrong, racism still exists because ignorant racist attitudes go uncorrected and stereotypes are passed on to children who are too young to recognize that what they’re being told is wrong.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Sherry-Lynn-Theresa-Sharp/1648364088 Sherry Lynn-Theresa Sharp

It seems to me this was obviously a typo and instead of “African American Attire” they meant “Traditional African Attire” I mean kuz.. *No one* can be stupid enough to think African Americans have a specific kind of Attire…. Right?
http://profile.yahoo.com/TJNAUCCTQYA5QLRM3VZD3OCT2I Ben

Seriously. People need to stop playing the race card every second of every single day. It’s just starting to get annoying. Why is race even a big deal anymore? It’s 2012 people! Get past classifying people as black, white, yellow, brown, purple, pink, orange…start addressing everyone from the USA as American. Obviously, everyone knew what the school meant if you would have actually read the entire text on the image. If you cannot determine that they were talking about Native African people, the ones that actually live in Africa…with the lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, then you are either too bent on stirring the “race pot” or you are not all that smart. Use a little common sense. The reason these type of typos happen is because everyone is so nervous about offending someone so they try to work everything politically correct that they end up making it worse. Just stop already!

http://www.facebook.com/republiccreditsnogoodhere Jessica Lora Haight-Angelo

Go read up on Trayvon Martin and then come back and tell urrybody to stop ‘playing the race card’ again.

Dannyboy

Why is this even news? The media is just flat out pathetic.
Blaze Corleone

WOW! African Americans don’t even HAVE an attire, unless you are from some other country that finds appeal in the very clothing that people of color in America get discriminated against for wearing. Cultural? I’d think Kente or Mud Cloth prints primarily, but I know there are others. They tend to wear patterns and bright, cheerful colors. I don’t know a lot of parents that let their children wear animal print clothing…as they tend to show up on clothing for teenagers and up. Seems kind of mature, like red nail polish on a second grader or something. It just doesn’t fit. I have to agree the letter was worded all wrong. I won’t go so far as to say I’m offended, but it DID make me cringe a bit. Besides, if they aren’t studying the African Empires of times long ago, like Mali or Songhai, what’s the point? Contributions to the world have come from ancient African civilizations as well as people of color wearing suits and/or lab coats. Besides, Black History Month doesn’t even sound like it’s about Africans…I’ve seen Cubans darker skinned than indigenous African tribes. So, Black isn’t culture, it’s color. Just my opinion. Great blog. I enjoyed it. I’ll be back!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2CCGZQMBI4FPHCGM2BGZZ76NDI yahoo

Here’s the solution: Stop celebrating African American History month and there will be no more problems. It might help to cut down on all the race-baiting like that of unicornbooty. This was a grade school attempting to make learning fun. I’m just glad to see more and more parents home school so we will at least have some young people who aren’t brainwashed by PC propaganda. The most hateful people in America are extremist liberals. Geezus.
http://www.facebook.com/DorothySnarker Amy Mcgraw-pate

I’d send my kid in a 3 piece suit.
jones yeboah

Those animal listed represent africans or Blacks,ok i am an african live in africa and we have seen that you people dont respect us at all…yet still we are still proud of how the LORD Made us…long live africa …and think black is beuty
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MFIJOMDJOGY3AAGELH5ENDV3BA Ocean bound

Why is this site so upset about this???? It’s been going on for EIGHT YEARS and NOW you want to be heard when it doesn’t even represent your group????? Quit worrying about everybody else and and concentrate on your own issues!!
http://profile.yahoo.com/PYWKK6RGJHF5XNRLMFQL465GHQ david

Hay what about the true americans in this country? they have lost everything but no one cares about giving them a month of there own. i have never heard of any American Indian month. I feel that every one should have their day/month but why push only one on all the people.
http://profile.yahoo.com/BIOEPXSZZGN773SEH5NNHIHS4I cityg

People need to get a life. The point was that school was trying to honor black students’ African background. To HONOR it, to promote racial harmony, to encourage black students to feel pride in themselves and their heritage – this is good. The writer of the letter made a mistake by using ‘African-American’ in place of black – as it is BLACK history month. That’s not a big deal and shame on people trying to make it one. There is nothing offensive or disrespectful here. I’m a teacher too, of junior high kids, and our teachers – including black teachers – used both patterns AND animal prints last month as decoration. The animal prints referenced hides used as clothing long ago, I expect. Regardless, the intent of this letter is GOOD, and it’s wrong to kick someone for trying to do the right thing. If people want to gripe about racism, protest Florida’s handling of the Treyvon Martin killing and lack of action against his killer – now THAT is offensive!
Anonymous

Drama queens and attention seekers.

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Students Asked to Dress ‘African American’ or as Safari Animals for Black History Day

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