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A Long Island student who dressed like Aunt Jemima for Halloween was sent home from school when he refused to wipe off his blackface make-up. Before being kicked out, Commack High School senior Dean Jeziorkowski — who has dressed in drag for every Halloween since third grade, going as Barbie, a nun, Wilma Flintstone, and Pocahontas in past years — donned a wig, a bandana, and blackface and "darted in and out of classrooms toting a syrup bottle, asking, 'You want some pancakes?'"
Apparently, school officials didn't see the humor in dressing as the iconic advertising caricature, which some consider a symbol of African American subservience. That said, the students interviewed by the Daily News didn't find Jeziorkowski's get-up particularly offensive. Classmate Manny Cruz, 16, said, "It's funny as hell. He's known for being an athlete, a funny dude, pretty chill. He's not known for being a racist or anything."
So where does this rank in the pantheon of offensive costumes? Does it one-up Brooklyn's high school Hitler from 2006, or Prince Harry's Nazi get-up from 2005?
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Sorry, but Uncle Ben & Aunt Jemima have always had racial overtones. Check out the earliest adverts involving those characters and see for yourself.
Its just that its been so infused into popular culture, we don't realize their origins. I don't think he's racist, just ignorant, as all kids are.
We should really boycott all supermarkets that sell these products. And then we should go down the list of our Facebook friends, ask to inspect their cupboards, and then unfriend the ones who own Uncle Bens or Aunt Jemima products, as well as the ones who refuse to consent to your search.
You're right, because there's no such this as an ignorant adult.
Aunt Jemima is stereotypical, but so is Colonel Sanders and even Ronald McDonald (good thing there are no crazy clown coalitions). If you are against stereotypical images being used in advertising, it is racist to limit yourself only to black stereotypes.
The student was not being racist, he was dressing up as a cultural icon. If he had dressed up as freddie mercury wearing a leotard, no one would be questioning whether or not he was being homophobic.
Screw you guys, I'm going home.
(sigh)
Do you understand that many consider BLACKFACE offensive? if this child understood the ramifications and history involved in what he did, fine. if not, then not.
and, yes, I very much doubt he does.
Col. Sanders is a stereotype. So's Santa Claus. Harlan Sanders (a southern white male), created a character based on the "southern gentleman" archetype. Aunt Jemimah (or Unkie Ben's) was owned/created by a the person depicted on the box. The disconcedrting stereotype involved is that of a subservient/less competent individual. THIS is why there is lingering concern about that imagery.
Now, tell me, has the Col. Sanders stereotype ever hurt a white man?
Ronald McDonald is a stereotype of what? Hamburger clowns?
If he did something such as dress as Freddie Mercury wearing a NAMBLA shirt, yeah, that would be an offensive stereotype.
Screw your ignorance. Should you come back, leave it at home.
I know that blackface is offensive but only because it was explained to me on a very special episode of Gimme a Break.
Reminds me of this:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/3517/saturday-night-live-uncle-jemimas-pure-mash-liqour
The blackface is a little ridiculous. Which now makes me wonder if he used any makeup when he was Pocahontas.
PC Bullshit!
Oh, come on, really? Blackface is pretty offensive, and especially since Aunt Jemima is a Mammy, which is doubly offensive. He dressed this way precisely because it would draw fire, because it's 'edgy' and cool, and he's getting what he wanted. He has no right to get angry when he wears something to incite anger and rile people up and people respond exactly that way.
Basically, he knew exactly how offensive this was and did it specifically because of that. He's basically trolling in real life. Don't troll if you can't handle the backlash - can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen, etc etc.
WHY is it offensive? Aunt Jemima is dark-skinned. In order to look more like her, you need to put on the makeup or "black-face".
I know right? When will this "political correctness" stop getting in the way of being a huge racist? This kind of PC nonsense it keeping the White Man down-- that is the real crime here!
Did you know that "black people" have dark skin? Idiot. The only ignorant racists are the ones offended by this shit.
"I know right? When will this "political correctness" stop getting in the way of being a huge racist?"
You're officially my new favorite person.
Is Jeziorkowski an American name?
Last I checked, yep.
then I must say we've come a long way when a name like that is More american.
see US american tara lipinski beats out kwan.
(kwan is also American)
there's no such thing as an 'american' name, you moron.
How about Motecuhzoma Ilhuicamina, Huehuemotecuhzoma or Montezuma I. Now that's a name you don't find anywhere else except in America.
again, I was being facetious. see birthers.
but let's see you be that tolerant OK?
You might even learn something.
OK, dickbag?
Maybe Mom and Dad should have put the kabosh on this before he left for school.
He could have avoided all the trouble by dressing as Mrs. Butterworth instead.
I hear the Polish kid got an offer to be the spokesperson for IHOP when he graduates.
If Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben (both look like a nice hard working duo) are so offensive to the colored people, then why do they keep using those two as mascots for their products.
The fact that you're the sort of ignorant person who actually used the phrase "colored people" means that any answer to your question will be incomprehensible to your tiny, tiny little mind.
For the record, do you know what the "CP" in NAACP stands for?
Just 'cause there is a United Negro College Fund doesn't mean I'm going to start calling black people "negroes." Learn about context. It turns out to be important.
He sounds like a future Log Cabin republican.
This would also qualify Fu Manchu, Charlie Chan, David Carradine (Kung-fu) and Christopher Walken (Balls of Fury) as offensive.
If it's offensive, then the products need to be removed from stores. He likes to dress up as women, he picked an iconic woman, and she's black, so he needed make-up. Black face would have been a la Al Jolson, with caricature mouth outline and all. This is make-up.
Why is Aunt Jemima offensive?
She is a product spokeswoman.
Did he mention slavery or servitude or speak in a way that could be conceived as stereotypical?
Or was he simply dressing up as a well-known icon?
Fuck this PC shit.
(sigh)
I notice you totally ignore the issue of dressing in blackface. Despite you intentionally ignoring it with multiple comments, the only issue is the student dressing in blackface.
I'm sure you're well aware, It' not being "PC" to object to something racially offensive.
And to some people most everything is culturally insensitive.
Was his dressing as Barbie misogynist?
Was his dressing as Pocahontas racist?
Is there anything he could dress as that wouldn't have some schmuck offended?
I should have him dress up as a light bulb and have a dozen or so people in a handyman outfit surround him.
still not up to the ignorant level he showed.
F this PC stuff.
He could have dressed up like mama Celeste and then all the Italians would cry descriminazione. I doubt it, but we have an equal right to moan about all this bullshit just like Rev. Al's people do.
More fuel for the outrage addicts. I guess nothing bad aired on Fox News today.
Well why would he think its offensive? He's young and dumb of course he doesn't think its offensive. What gets me is adults and older people who keep saying Aunt Jemima (classic Jemima) is not a racist image. Thats Mammy. What the he__, does she need it written across her forehead for people to see that? Its like no one can point out something thats OBVIOUSLY racist without some paranoid WASP accusing you of playing "the race card" or being too "politically correct". We all know racism exists, you don't have to cover it up by getting all whiny and defensive every time it gets noticed. I live in NYC, I've seen and heard everything so I'm offended by nothing but if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck,...its a freakin' duck. "PC" or no pc.
"What gets me is adults and older people who keep saying Aunt Jemima (classic Jemima) is not a racist image. Thats Mammy."
No, it's Aunt Fucking Jemima.
She's a trademark used to sell syrup.
Is Colonel Sanders racist against white people?
Mammy is an archetype there's obviously more than one expression of Mammy. The original Aunt Jemima is a commercialized representation of the Mammy. Any idiot knows that. Today's Aunt Jemima is still a black maid, just 200lbs lighter without the bandana.
My comment below was for you.
Enjoy it.
when politically correct measures become part of an absurd orthodoxy, heresy will be very easy attainable.
Has anybody begun boycotting the famous syrup for its racist nature?
Yes, after reading this, I think it's time for me to start to boycotting it.
"The Aunt Jemima image has been modified several times over the years. In her most recent 1989 make-over, as she reached her 100th anniversary, the 1968 image was updated, with her kerchief removed to reveal a natural hairdo and pearl earrings. This new look remains with the products to this day."
Tyra does it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsQRTQ2cVl8&feature=player_embedded
I keep waiting on them to rename her Aunt Julie and make her into a white woman. Lord knows you can't show a black person on any kind of advertising without people crying racism.
Perhaps one of Jeziorkowski's black classmates can come in costume impersonating a Polish peasant?
And if she's a black maid she MUST be racist.
After all, black maids don't ACTUALLY exist, they're just a figment of my racist imagination.
Right, idiot?
Go find something to boycott, asshole.
Man are you serious? You really cannot understand Mammy's are offensive caricatures? And even moreso you don't realize the cultural history behind blackface and are spitting ignorant comments about "why is it offensive she's black-skinned if he wanted to be authentic he needed black makeup gawwwwwwwwwwd :( :( :("
The Mammy is racist, and Aunt Jemima is DEFINITELY a Mammy, she's actually a pretty textbook representation of it, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not. It sounds like you're just too young to realize all the history, emotions, and cultural relevance tied up in it.
I know this is wikipedia, which is not always the best, but it's a good start:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammy_archetype
You should really look into learning about the history of blackface, black minstrelry, and Golliwogs, Sambos, and Mammy's alike to understand why they're so offensive. It sounds like you're just upset that some things ARE taboo, oh noes your white access to be able to do whatever you want unimpeded is being stomped all over.
I understand he was dressing up as a brand id for a fucking syrup.
We all know he was emulating Aunt Jemima, not a 'mammy'.
Stop trying to make the two the same thing.
If Aunt Jemima is so offensive then go piss on Quaker Oats.
Maybe he was a Jemima's Witness.
People use clothing as a symbol so that they can make a statement. What was the young man's intent? If his intent is to make a racist statement he should face disciplinary action. If his intent is to make a statement that he is edgy and cool he should be counseled that some people might not understand his intent. The student should be counseled to adjust his costume to clarify his intent or he should be required to remove his costume. The school officials failed to make use of a teaching opportunity.
Aunt Jemima is a fat black mammy stereotype. I don't care if they're 'just selling a product' it is what it is..and what it is just happens to be a depiction of the fat black mammy stereotype.
This is a non-issue. Where does a kid learn that "what's just another funny Halloween character to you is offensive to a great many people that you probably never interact with?"... why, he learns it IN SCHOOL, and when he's young. Not putting your hand on a stove is pretty immediate, but culture sensitivity takes a little longer to become ingrained.
Looks like he learned. Case closed.
I understand that this is looked as racist because of the black face. I doubt the kid really realized the background on black face and what he was really doing. He was being more disruptive by going in and out of class rooms it looked like then his own classmates being pissed off about it. Also I had friends dress like the guy in Tropic Thunder "the dude who was playing another dude" and they had to wear "black face" just like the movie. Now is that racist? Also how come no one made a big deal with the Mexican costumes that Ricky's was selling?
Poet-- people DID complain about the Mexican costumes. & going as RDJr's character from Tropic Thunder might be meta enough to work...except you'd still be wearing blackface. Which ain't any good.
Crooked nose witches are offensive to a lot of people but does anyone say anything about it?
notice how one of the kids -Manny Cruz- who's probably hispanic said it wasn't offensive. Did they ask a black student if it was offensive? i think not, because it isn't. School administrators, like every parasitic government, wants to further divide the population. If government doesn't divide, it can't conquer.
I think you're all out of your minds.
Just to clarify the possibilities here:
1) he's portraying a dated product logo with complete indifference to any racial implications.
OR
2) he's portraying a dated product logo with the intention of making some sort of racial statement (positive or negative)
OR
3) he's claiming to have portrayed a dated product logo because he needed a cover for his costume which was actually intended to portray a racial stereotype (positively or negatively)
OR
4) he's a crusader attempting to challenge everyone's ridiculous knee-jerk responses (PC, racist, or otherwise)
OR
5) there are many others ways to interpret this
I'm not ignoring the history of blackface, but let's also look at the present. This is fundamentally harmless. He's not perpetuating this stereotype in any meaningful way, even if the stereotype is harmful. It is an isolated Halloween incident. Dressing up is something the boy basically does every year, in different forms, apparently-- and nobody is saying his other costumes were offensive to women, because it's obviously either in fun or he's acting out some impulses none of us can psychoanalyze from our thrice-removed position.
There are times PC is right. But there are also times PC is ridiculous. It's not worth the trouble to get this offended about every perceived transgression. Kids dressing in blackface? Maybe not smart. But not the end of the world. You can bet that far worse crimes against race happened this weekend, somewhere in NYC, and you can bet they didn't make the news.
And I'm going out on a limb here, but it seems to me that challenging costumes like this (on Halloween) provoke us to laugh at the product logo, Aunt Jemima, and take away whatever power that logo is supposed to have. It doesn't seem in any way like any sort of statement about black people, except to the extent that it has been turned into one by comment threads like this.
I think the school administration did the right thing. Its not like they expelled him...they just sent him home. I am African American and while I thought his stunt was stupid, obnoxious and funny, I can understand that it might upset alot of kids - especially when we all (no matter what race we are) are having such a hard time helping our kids understand how to find pride within themselves. In Oprah speak...its a "teachable moment" for this young man, but not so much even because of the black face stunt.
Firstly, we've completely glossed over the fact that the young man has been dressing in drag every Halloween since 3rd grade. I have 6 young nephews...none of them have EVER asked to dress in drag for Halloween. (And for the record there is nothing wrong with drag...but he has to understand what problems might arise if he does it as a Halloween stunt. Especially here in NYC, when we pride ourselves on being an open and forward-thinking city.) So clearly from a young age he's been grasping for attention. I think his family just let things go too far...and for way too long. It seems to me that it just kept escalating and his parents didn't nip it in the bud. Thats what really should have happened...because they might have prevented a good bit of family embarrassment.
Secondly, he was darting in and out of classrooms, which I'm sure was disruptive. Apparently he wasn't getting enough attention by simply wearing the costume. he had to barge into a bunch of classes while in session. Rightfully he got sent to the office for that bit.
But thirdly, the young man was only sent home after he refused to wash the makeup off. That tells me that the school officials tried to explain to him that his costume could be viewed as offensive and that they gave him an opportunity to wash the makeup off & return to class. But the young man was determined to continue on his course. At that point it went beyond his merely trying to be silly or funny...if it ever was that to begin with. He got sent home because he was actually being defiant against authority.
I don't think the kid is a bad seed or a racist...even though what he did was not very smart. He's just a product of a world that has failed to instill respect for authority and his fellow man within him. With all the jokes about "F* the police" and the outlandish comments about our presidents past and present...are we really that surprised that the kid defied school authority to wash off his blackface???
Its unfortunate because this kid obviously has huge issues with respect, and he's already a senior in high school. Its probably too late for his parents to successfully deal with the issue at home. Now we as a society get to deal with it...in the workplace, in the marketplace, all over. Lucky us! I can see it now - some unsuspecting young woman will most likely go on a date with him, and he'll assuredly say something obnoxious, and she'll wonder why he doesn't seem to have much respect for her or anyone else. And so on and so on.
The kid is just gonna have it rough...because his parents chose not to straighten this issue out a long time ago. They didn't give him the focus and attention he deserved as a child. They didn't channel his creativity into something productive or fun. They didn't channel his wit and social influence into something that could serve him in a positive way & inspire the kids around him. Instead, he got on a soapbox about wearing a dress and bad makeup. Another one just fell through the cracks ya'll. Its sad.
Well said. But in the end all he did was dress up in a woman's outfit that happened to include the tag of being an historical character that happened to be black. That sure of hell beats the day to day shootings and stabbings that go on in the inner city schools that have the same skin coloring of the individual he portrayed.
It's a cultural thing I know. So let it rest.
WTF does this have to do with the city?
The next "Aunt Jemima" will be Michelle Obama.
That I believe will be the first step in reducing a lot of the tension in the black community regarding the pancake industry's advertising future.
I'm black, and I don't find this offensive. I wish people dressed as racial stereotypes every day. Wait...
But seriously, as Tom Wolfe pointed out in 'Radical Chic,' white people get so exquisitely titillated when they see other white people committing an un-PC faux pas. With the exception of a few reactionary types, black people probably find this story much less interesting/novel/obscene than white folks do.
So true.
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/05/28/101-being-offended/
Sure, lots of things, but you're purposely ignoring the context.
Tell you what, dress up as a Nazi out side a Synagogue and report back the results.
We black folks have excellent tans all year round. If massahas be wanting to copy us so be it.
i'm first generation here and have no whip-crackers in my family tree. the syrup is good on pancakes and waffles. these school admins are idiots
Okay, I know this is a stale post, but this comment just occurred to me...
And the White Chicks movie was okay?!