N.D. University Investigates Raunchy Skit Where White Student Played Obama in Blackface
FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota State University is investigating complaints about a campus skit in which a white student in blackface portrayed Barack Obama receiving a lap dance.
The same skit, part of a charity fundraiser held at a campus theater, also featured a depiction of cowboys having sex with each other, witnesses told The Forum newspaper, which first reported the backlash Friday.
“We’re trying to find out the right approaches for accountability, but at the same time try to heal wounds that have occurred and allow the campus to move ahead,” Janna Stoskopf, NDSU’s dean of students, told The Associated Press on Friday.
The March 18 skit involving the NDSU Saddle and Sirloin Club was performed at the Mr. NDSU Pageant, which is sponsored by the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and raises money for diabetes research.
People who attended it said a pageant contestant from Saddle and Sirloin dressed as a woman from the Internet video “I Got a Crush on Obama” and performed a strip tease for another student, who was wearing dark makeup and an afro wig.
In the background, two male students dressed as cowboys simulated anal sex while holding an Obama sign that one student ripped at the conclusion of the 30-second performance, the Forum reported.
“That seems to be consistent with what’s been described to me,” Stoskopf said.
The Obama campaign had no comment Friday. Obama is to speak at North Dakota Democrats’ state convention in Grand Forks next week.
Josh Reimnitz, who is the NDSU student body president and saw the skit, called it “totally tasteless” and said he and other audience members were shocked.
“Honestly, I still don’t know what the intention of the skit was,” he said. “It was very silent, and there were some boos. People were looking at each other, not knowing how to act.”
The skit does not reflect attitudes on campus, Reimnitz said.
“We’re still going to be proactive in student government, as far as diversity education and training,” he said. “If there are pockets out there that we don’t know about, we want to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
NDSU President Joseph Chapman was not immediately available for comment. Messages left by the AP for Russell Danielson, adviser of the Saddle and Sirloin Club, and Malika Carter, an NDSU assistant director of multicultural student services were not immediately returned.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re rural. It doesn’t matter if you’re from Fargo or Beulah, N.D.,” said Joy Rice, a black Fargo resident and a member of the city’s human relations commission. “You still need to respect people of color, in all aspects of life. This is a form of racism, and it’s really taking a step back.”
The skit follows a complaint filed against a sorority at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where guests wore Indian costumes and red paint on their faces and bodies.
“This falls into the same category,” Rice said of the NDSU skit. “It’s just as bad.”
Stoskopf said she expected the investigation could take until May 9, the end of the school year.
“One of the issues here is how do we balance what our policies and expectations about behavior are with the issue of freedom of speech,” Stoskopf said. “Where does all of that get us?”
NDSU has 10,403 undergraduates. The student body is 92 percent white, while 1.5 percent identify themselves as black or African-American.
sounds to me like some college kids have turned on obama, but then have not seen the skit and do not know the intentions, though i do not believe in making fun of some one.this should not affect him at all, like the rev. wright has done, no matter what he does it is to late on that subject.
Obama may have transcended race; I don’t think the rest of the nation has. While I disagree with Wright’s comments, I find it difficult to grasp the point of pursuing this controversy. Let’s move on and focus on the issues; the economy, the war, the housing and credit crisis.
This whole thing is being used by some circles as a wedge device, to keep fair minded people off the issues.
Foxnews: You’re guilty of perpetuating this irrelevant topic. Others have moved on; I suggest you do the same.
What goes around, comes around. This was not as bad as Obama’s preacher’s ranting. Leave the college kids alone; at least they raised money for a good cause. (Although that would not have been my choice of a skit).
Foxnews can you do us a favor and tell us who is mad? you just don’t start a conversation without details. If this is the opinion of one or two people, why is it news?
Every Sunday Mr. Obama goes to racist Chruch , I think people are just starting not to stand with Obama anymore! Obama will not make a good leader for these young people and they dont buy into the idea he is all hugs and kisses. Hillary is a leader we need!
It just goes to show you the extreme double standard in America. No one would care if it were a black male dressed as Hillary getting a lap dance from a male stripper. And as for the gay cowboys, I would think that the gay community would appreciate the equality. No one would have taken offense to a guy on girl seen. The gay community always states how they have to suppress their affection in public, well the skit just gave them free publicity. Who knows, it just might give someone the courage to come out of the closet. But seriously, If any black person takes offense to the skit, then I would have to assume they have no sense of humor.
If this is the most serious offensive act at this campus then they should get an award for good behavior. If you don’t know what goes on at your neighborly campus, just stay up one night and watch the girls gone wild infomercials.
so now college age kids can’t satiriclly poke fun at a presidential candidate without being labeled rasist? maybe it was in bad taste, but come on…look at how hillary is sometimes depicted in the media…and what about poor old john mccain…oops…i just picked on him cause of his age. maybe kieth oberman will label me one of the worlds most offensive people now.
Them thar students got to learn some folks just can’t take a joke. If they’d have decked out with white talcum powder and made fun of hill billies there wouldn’t have been any complaints. Everybody knows that hill folks are too dumb to have an inferiority complex, so they’d have just laughed along with the actors.
Why is this news?
Who cares?
Once again, FOX NEWS shows it’s agenda loud and clear for all to see…
You’re a broken record and it stinks!
You know, I’m just plain tired of everyone jumping through their asses thinking “action must be taken” ever time someone is offended by something. And I think the larger part of America feels the same way. If this offends you, BOO HOO HOO……..
Obama may have transcended race; I don’t think the rest of the nation has. While I disagree with Wright’s comments, I find it difficult to grasp the point of pursuing this controversy. Let’s move on and focus on the issues; the economy, the war, the housing and credit crisis.
This whole thing is being used by some circles as a wedge device, to keep fair minded people off the issues.
Foxnews: You’re guilty of perpetuating this irrelevant topic. Others have moved on; I suggest you do the same.
That is “typical white people” for you, right Obama? I bet it is a shock to him to hear that not all college kids kiss his ass.
Fargo…North Dakota? I noticed the headline described the college as “N.D. University” in hopes that readers might confuse it with Notre Dame University, which is a school that people have actually heard of. North Dakota University…right.
This is just a form of freedom of speech nothing more, we dont need to stop this from hapening becouse thay may have afended the wrong person get over it…….
they should raise the voting age to 21. young kids that are voting for obama cause they want change? they dont even know what he stands for they just want change. One college kid was asked about obama’s views and he answered ” Dude, i dont know anything about his views, but he gives us hope.” they are the future of america? raise the voting age please save this country.
Who cares?
Wow!! These kids are at this racist hate spewing school for 4 years!!! They need to immediately denounce the school, drop aout and leave!! Sound familiar?
Upon reading this article, the response from the university officials was far more “offensive” than the skit they were seeking to condemn.
Racism is bad, but using racism as an excuse to empower would-be tyrants to be speech police is infinitely worse.
Freedom of speech is the right to tell other people what they do not want to hear. The alternative is a world in which only popular ideas are allowed to be expressed, and that my friends is a world where the tyranny of the majority ensures a stagnant society.
The only response that this skit warrants from the university is no response at all.
“We’re trying to find out the right approaches for accountability, but at the same time try to heal wounds that have occurred and allow the campus to move ahead,” Janna Stoskopf, NDSU’s dean of students, told The Associated Press on Friday.
What a load. Our universities are run by, and apparently bent on, turning out a bunch of wimps. And all this happend in North Dakota? Did this state get taken over in a sneak attack by units from Berkeley, CA?
What have we come to. Censorship of a college group raising money for charity and being investigated/censored. Is the USA becoming Russia, China or Cuba???
Freedom of expression. If Jeremiah wrigth can preach that raunchy sermon in church about Bill Clinton, then those students can performt hat raunchy skit. In Jeremiahs own words, “the chickens..have come home to roost”.
There are at least one doctored video and a song mocking Hillary’s gaffe floating around. If she’s fair game, Obama should be too, race notwithstanding. What’s the big deal?
Perhaps there is some truth in what Rev Wright has said. If you think racism is a thing in the past you must be delusional or do not get out much.
I agree with DE. This is exactly the type of speech the First Amendment was intended to protect. The skit, however distasteful, is political speech and must be viewed in that light.
People need to learn the difference between stage makeup and true “blackface”. This appears that it was simply makeup and not the blackface parody of old.
If this is to be considered racist, then so must Obama’s and his pastor’s comments must be considered racist.
you can thank rev wright for some of this.
It is interesting to note that someone thinks it is offensive to pretend one is a person of color, but not that one is a woman. All this says to me is that we do not understand prejudice and we do not understand comedy. We are an ignorant nation of people. And, everyone is entitled to free speech in this country, but we are fast becoming ignorant to that fact, too.
just because the money earned was for a good cause does not mean you can get away with those racist comments it would have been different if they had mocked the whole presidential party thenyes leave them alone but that was wrong and cruel
This was not as bad as Rev Wright’s attitudes and past comments. Treat those students like Rev Wright was treated by Obama and his church.
So what ?????
What happened to our freedom of speech and expression ? The only group that can be satirized are white Christian males, everyone else seems to be off limits.
So much for college campuses being strongholds for free speech. I worry that any attack on Obama will be construed as racist. His color and background should not shield him from political satire. Satire uses everything from appearance to mannerisms to steroetypes to make light of political candidates. This goes back hundreds of years and should not cease because of a kneejerk PC public. Obama’s color doesn’t make him immune from satire, nor should it make him immune from close examination of his policies and the people with whom he chooses to associate. Politics is war…MAN UP!!!
This is yet another demonstration of the hyper-sensitive we will no doubt be forced to endure in the event of an Obama Presidency.
Both Obama’s wife and pastor have made their disdain for America quite clear. Barack’s inability to provide any historic information to demonstrate that he disagrees with these anti-American views suggests that he has little appreciation for America either. This has helped them curry favor among the angrily-racist members of the “black community”. I can only imagine what would happen if Obama were ever to face the type of criticism from the media as white candidates have long experienced.
Only the mentally inert among us took any solice in Obama’s “Race Speech”. That speech made it quite clear that he is much more sympathetic to the rantings of the anti-American Black Community than he cares to admit.
It’s very sad, but an Obama Presidency will be the most racially divisive event since desegregation.
What ever happened to freedom of speech? Tammy Bruce was right- beware of the new thought police!
DEConservative…thicker skins for open racism? Racism should offend every real American.
I went to college in rural Louisiana and some of the all white frats would put on similar skits depicting black stereotypes. I was offended then…as I am offended now. I believe in a America where all are created equal.
As a conservative, I have grown weary of the politics of division. I have grown weary of special interests controlling Washington. That’s why I am voting for Obama as McCain’s campaign is run by lobbyists.
All I have to say is free speech. Who cares like DE Conservative Said get thicker skin. this entry country need to get thicker skin period. a bunch of three years old running around mommy he called me a name. Get over it America. you dont like some thing then dont pay it attention. So someone sterotyped your race so what live with it. It does not mean they are raceist. White folks get sterotyped just like eveyone else. It dont bother me, I have more important things to worry about.
This is not an issue of free speech…it is an issue of decency. The current rage in media and entertainment is to shock the audience. Can we not, instead of crassness, demonstrate propriety, discernment, sound judgment, and respect? I am tired of being “shocked”, and I hope others are tired of it as well. Did no one walk out on this outrageous performance or go immediately to the host of the event to complain? We should not be coarse, violent, or unkind in expressing our disapproval; however, we do need to understand that total silence is tacit approval.
Does this mean the politically correct police will investigate Saturday Night Live for their skit with a black-faced actor? Get a life people - humor, whether you like it or not, is a way of breaking down barriers rather than highlighting them. Bending to overly sensitive individuals by having senseless investigations only exacerbates the problem. Take it for what it was, an attempt at political satire. Remove that and you live in Orwell’s 1984.
What ever happened to freedom of speech? Or is that only true with things you agree with?
Get over it. I’d bet if they railed, oh let’s say, President Bush - they would be showered with well wishes, no pending investigation and we wouldn’t even know about it.
If a presidential candidate can not stand being portrayed in a satirical skit for a charity fundraiser, then how can we expect the candidate to stand up to neuclear armed lunatics around the world who would destroy us if they get the opportunity?
Hogwash! If the shoe fits, wear it. If it don’t, why worry? To many goody two shoes out there that don’t know s— from shinola.
So many people and media members of this country are weak and love making a big deal out of
nothing. I find nothing in this story racists…maybe distasteful but not racists.
Free speach wins. No laws against being an idiot. If you are a college student, you are allowed to be a jerk for 4 years. Get over it people. Its actually not illegal to be a racist. Stupid, but not illegal
Keep your eyes peeled America because any and all criticism of Obama will be perceived and labeled ‘racism’ and anyone who has anything derogatory to say about the man will be labeled a racist; it’s called “White Guilt”. When our liberal universities start investigating the many attacks on Christianity and any semblance of moral behavior with equal regularity as that of those that violate their agenda, I might raise an eyebrow. Until then, it is a skit and within the ‘liberties’ of the students voicing their opinion; get over it.
Be very careful what you say or do.
The “offence police” are watching.
I for one am sick and tired of reverse discrimination. I believe this kind of reaction helps create racial tension, rather than mitigating it.
I definitely do not like Obama either, but this is just disrespecful. No matter what the intention, people still need to have common decency, and these students went to far. But, this is just business as usual for todays youth, and what is allowed to happen on campuses all over America. A llot of todays younger generation has no moral compass on what is and is not acceptable behavior. Something should be done to these students and the faculty members if they knew this was going to be done. Even if they were trying to show their dislike for Obama,this type of behavior just reinforces the liberals that the conservatives should not be in office, this is something they do all the time and we as conservatives complain about them, by saying they have no morals or values, and then we do the same thing, no wonder a lot of people consider our party to be bigots.
lol. now thats funny. Oh I’m sorry. Did I offend you? Freedom of speach!!!!!!!
lol. Now thats funny. Oh, I am sorry. Did I offend you? Freedom of Idea’s, Freedom of speach.
Tell everyone to get a life. If this is a problem then move to isolated island. No one was hurt and the skit was about a person in real life who has a following of young women in short short showing on tv and youtub. Would a black person get mad if a black person acted for Obama? I mean 97 percent of the black population is voting for him. How many are voting for him just because he is black? Come on people and get real. If you do anything or say anything negative about a minority person then you are a racist.
Oh give me a break, what happened to freedom of speech. Seems to me if it is not for Obama than it is racist or taboo. Well get use to it, this is what we are in store for if he gets the nomination. Will not ever vote for this man. Will become a republican
Bad form on the universities part to allow such a skit in the first place. Freedom of speech does not mean society can behave in such a way that is slanderous to ones character. Possible litigation and rightfully so.
this story reaches a new low in termsof what FOX feels is newsworthy. Way to dumb down America…
Wow. I can not believe the media attention this incident is getting. When I first heard about it I thought, “That sounds about right.” I have long thought the members of the Saddle and Sirloin were a bunch a bush light drinkin’ pea brains. While this incident is shocking and disrespectfull, I am slightly impressed that those goat ropers followed politics enough to know who is running for leader of this country. If you ask me, those wrangler wearing losers got kicked in the head by one horse to many. I guess what they say is true, ” You can take the boy out of the farm, but you cant take the farm out of the boy.”