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.
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……..
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
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).
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.
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.