Updated Oct 5, 2012 - 6:51 am

Blackouts back on at Oregon State University after controversy

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By Josh Kerns
MyNorthwest.com Reporter

Oregon State University is again encouraging fans to wear all black to a pair of upcoming games after pulling the plug over racial concerns (AP image)

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The blackouts are back on at Oregon State University football games after the school changed its mind about discouraging fans from wearing all black over racial concerns.

Controversy erupted this week when the school moved to pull the plug on two blackout games for fear they were racially insensitive.

There were complaints from some minority students about a 2007 blackout game that saw some coloring their faces black and wearing black Afro wigs. Anger ensued when the the student newspaper published a picture of those students but refused to subsequently publish an editorial condemning it.

"I'm not sure the university community is ready for it," Amelia Harris, OSU student body president told the Daily Barometer, OSU's student newspaper. "Black Out Reser was the result of a lack of education and cultural sensitivity."

But after widespread outrage over the cancellation, Oregon State president Ed Ray has issued a letter supporting the two planned blackout games.

In it, he calls for fans to "demonstrate the great progress we have made at Oregon State University in the last five years to create a more inclusive community - one that celebrates our differences and shows that together we are attaining excellence through diversity."

The school plans a series of seminars and other events to further promote diversity. Ray says he apologizes for not dealing with the issue sooner to avoid this week's controversy.

"This simple act sends a profound message: that we are united as a community and that those who engage in behavior that is hurtful to others will not deter us from taking this next step in appropriately living our values," Ray writes.

>>Read the full letter from OSU president Ed Ray

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Chuck Gould wrote...

One heck of a lot of stupid people at an institution of higher learning...

October 5, 2012 7:30 am

Wearing black clothes is not racist. Nor is wearing white clothes, red clothes, yellow clothes, or brown clothes. Somebody down at OSU needs to get a life. It's a good thing that somebody with more common sense finally prevailed at that institution.
Now, the students who put on the black face, the afro wigs, etc etc etc...that could be construed as an attempt to promote a racial (if not racist) stereotype. That specific behavior is in poor taste and should not be condoned, but wearing black clothes? Gimme a break...

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Pugwamp wrote...

Ban it all!!

October 5, 2012 8:27 am

I say ban orange wigs! Redheads everywhere are in an uproar! I say ban face paint of any kind! Who wants to see kids get excited and enjoy their college experience.

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sghouse wrote...

a rare vicory for common sense...

October 5, 2012 10:16 am

but all the hemming, hawing, and tap dancing around the issue is still nauseating.

492388

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sghouse wrote...

victory......spell check please.....

October 5, 2012 10:18 am

or ability to go back and edit your own posts for a short time would be welcome.

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EARTHMAN911 wrote...

Blackout?

October 5, 2012 11:44 am

So, what's this all about? Are these stoonts celebrating the "Black Plague?" Black holes? Black Widow Spiders? Are they making fun of people with black faces, like Muslims do? What is the big deal here. Whose sensitive, psychotic, ox is being gored this time?

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HPD 5-0 wrote...

One heck of a lot of stupid LIBERAL people at an institution of higher learning...

October 5, 2012 1:04 pm

Fixed it.

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Zoeller wrote...

Finally!

October 5, 2012 1:23 pm

Common sense prevails.

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tlmbrt wrote...

Why not

October 5, 2012 8:36 pm

take this to the max extreme? WHITE is no good, because it evokes "white supremacy". RED, BROWN and YELLOW are out for obvious reasons. PINK or BLUE is sexist. PURPLE? Nope, reminds us of elitist royalty. That leaves only ORANGE and GREEN (tree huggers will love that one, unless it represents money). Wait a sec, those are the colors of Halloween, which is insensitive to atheists and some religions. Hmmm, think we should wear stripes and plaid? Maybe just walk around naked?

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Country_Dog wrote...

Sorry tlmbrt

October 6, 2012 6:00 am

but "naked" is also insensitive to somebody, just not sure who yet. (Maybe textile unions or something.)

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