By now I'm sure you've heard of the Halloween party over at homeland security? The one where a worker put on some dreadlocks, a prison outfit and "bronze" face? The one where Jennifer Myers, awaiting confirmation as director of Immigration and Customs, gave the costume a prize for "most original," took a photo with the person, and had the photos posted on the web site? The one where, after some employees complained, she subsequently called it "offensive," and had all photos of her with the person in question destroyed?
How very Bushian.
I read this story and simply want to weep for America. This is 2007 and people still exist who think dressing up as a black convict is not only inoffensive but "original." That is the effing LEAST original costume to come down the pike since "sexy Asian woman in pseudo-geisha outfit" and "'Indian' wearing war paint." Original, my ass.
I'm glad there is a hold on Myers' nomination now. Not only for her shocking lack of judgment, but the shocking lack of judgment for a person who seeks to run the agency that deals specifically with people from hundreds of ethnic and racial backgrounds. Especially when her defense is that the person wasn't wearing blackface per se, but more "bronze" face.
You would hope that any normal person in a position of authority seeing a black/bronzeface costume walking in to a party would immediate tell the person to go home, get changed, and see me in my office tomorrow AM for a chat.
Hmm...Racial and ethnic sensitivity from a Bush minion. Now THAT would be "most original."
2 comments:
The guy should have just come as Dog the Bounty Hunter.
But the CNN story? Wow.
"Immigration chief apologizes for 'offensive' costumes at her party"
This was the headline! And don't think we didn't notice that "offensive" was in quotes!
This is the caption under her photo:
Julie Myers, head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, called the man's costume "offensive."
Like she thought it up her own self instead of having to be told. Ugh
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