GAINESVILLE - Antwan Wright, a University of Florida Student says there are boundaries that shouldn't be crossed. "If they doing rappers then it's funny but if they're doing just the average black man and tried to be stereotypical with it, then yeah it's really offensive," Wright says.
A picture of two members of UF's Beta Theta Pi wore black face paint at a “Rock-stars and Rappers” Halloween party held last week, was shared through Instagram. UF's NAACP reposted the picture on their Facebook. A post that received about 150 comments.
Many in the African American community took offense by the picture as it appeared to evoke “blackface,” which was used by white actors like Al Jolson in the 1940's represent African-Americans in a highly demeaning manner.
Marquis Dendy, another UF Student says, "I learned that when I was little. Blackface wasn't a good thing, you know. It was kind of making fun of people and stuff like that but not everybody is as centered to the ground like that."
Beta Theta Pi house has 180 members and their president says the fraternity’s membership is diverse. In fact he say he's disappointed in the poor judgment and actions of his brothers. The president, Ethan McMahon expressed his apologies through email, where he said and I quote: "While their actions were not intended with any malice or ill-will to the African-American community, clearly they were offensive, and our entire chapter accepts full responsibility accordingly."
Rachael Nickie with UF's Assocaition of Black Alumni says more education to students on African american history can prevent these type of incidents. "Whether it's on UF campus or anywhere around the country, like even to this day we still have young people that don't understand how they're basically perpetrating racist black stereotypes," Nickie says.
The Division of students affairs at UF is hosting a town hall meeting in order to raise awareness about bias incidents. The event will take place tomorrow at 7pm in UF's Rion Ballroom and anyone is welcomed to attend.
