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Blackface photo on Web riles Black Caucus at Penn State
Friday, December 05, 2003
By Dan Lewerenz, The Associated Press

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State Black Caucus demanded that the chairman of the university's College Republicans resign after finding on his personal Web site a photo of a white man in blackface and another with a Ku Klux Klan reference.

Black Caucus President Tiffanie Lewis yesterday said the pictures were inappropriate for the leader of a student organization and urged the resignation of Brian Battaglia, chair of the College Republicans, and anyone else involved in posting the pictures.

"It's not an isolated incident. We believe that it's part of the contentious racial climate at Penn State," Lewis said.

The pictures on Battaglia's Web site were among dozens of pictures from a Halloween party Battaglia hosted at his off-campus home.

One shows a white man in blackface, with the caption: "Apparently Takkeem was released long enough to come to our party. We thank the local police department."

The caption was a reference to Undergraduate Student Government vice president Takkeem Morgan, who paid a fine last month after pleading guilty to a summary charge of criminal mischief regarding a stolen bicycle.

A second photo shows a white man wearing a pillow case as a hood with the caption: "He took a break from cross burning to drink a cold one."

Battaglia, of Brockton, Mass., said he was familiar with the pictures on his Web site, but would not say whether he posted them, nor identify the man in blackface.

He removed the Halloween photos from his Web site yesterday afternoon, shortly after speaking with The Associated Press. But he said last night that he did not remove them because of the Black Caucus' request and that he might post them again.

"The bedrock principals [sic] of the conservative movement generally and the College Republicans in particular, are personal liberty and freedom of expression," Battaglia said in a written statement. "The College Republicans stands ... staunchly opposed to the mindset held by the radical left on college campuses across the country. Their viewpoints, which posit that any action or speech that gives discomfort to a vocal minority should be cause for censorship, persecution, or demands for public apologies, are the greatest threat to liberty in our time."

In an e-mail to Battaglia, Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon called the photos "an embarrassment to the entire university" and said Battaglia and other College Republicans should apologize.

Morgan, a former Black Caucus officer, said he first saw the photos Wednesday night after being told about them by a Black Caucus member.

"My initial reaction was that it was very, very disrespectful," Morgan said. "They were playing with a history that was a very, very tragic one, and it's something that people every day try to get past."

During the spring of 2001, several Black Caucus members were arrested for disrupting Penn State's spring football scrimmage to protest what they felt was a lack of attention paid to death threats mailed and e-mailed to Black Caucus leaders. When university officials scheduled a march to show racial unity, the Black Caucus stole the show, stopping the march and starting a 10-day protest in the student union.

Since then, black students have said the racial climate has improved, but that there still are racial problems at Penn State.

"I think that anybody that's been at Penn State for the last three years knows what the racial situation is here, and they know that it's tense and that every now and then it gets out of hand," Morgan said.

― miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 16:54 (twenty-one years ago)

http://home.houston.rr.com/skeptical/Brian/Halloween%202003_2_files/DSC00205.jpg

and

http://home.houston.rr.com/skeptical/Brian/Halloween%202003_2_files/DSC00217.jpg

― miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 16:55 (twenty-one years ago)

MOMUS TO THREAD!!!

― cinniblount (James Blount), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 16:59 (twenty-one years ago)

miccio too actually

― cinniblount (James Blount), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 17:00 (twenty-one years ago)

and carey also

― cinniblount (James Blount), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 17:00 (twenty-one years ago)

blair thomas also

― cinniblount (James Blount), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 17:00 (twenty-one years ago)

see also here, w/ fun comments

― Kingfish Beestick (Kingfish), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 17:01 (twenty-one years ago)

i kept telling miccio, "this is what happens when you live in state college and you shun echo and the bunnymen and frank zappa for good charlotte and limp bizkit." maybe now he'll get the message.

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 17:01 (twenty-one years ago)

(jets fan reading this thread!!)

BLAIR THE BUST!

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 17:02 (twenty-one years ago)

never. draft. a. penn. state. running. back.

― cinniblount (James Blount), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 17:03 (twenty-one years ago)

the jets have since learned from that mistake

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 17:04 (twenty-one years ago)

oh yeah ... ANDRE WARE AND RICK MIRER TO THREAD!!

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 17:04 (twenty-one years ago)

if we keep talking about sports momus will never show up

― cinniblount (James Blount), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 17:05 (twenty-one years ago)

god, they're racist and they're not even good at it.

― teeny (teeny), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 17:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, that about describes State College in every aspect.

― Carey (Carey), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 21:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Yet people still choose to go there? Frightening. Racism (sad though it is) HAS gotten somewhat more sophisticated these past few centuries

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 21:18 (twenty-one years ago)

I am soo glad I didn't go there even though I was forced to apply and got in. Aside from racism and dealing with the womyn's groups, I would have been forced to learn that awful sky-blue joe-pah chant. ::Shudder::

― Vic (Vic), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 21:35 (twenty-one years ago)

extremists on the left of me, racists on the right ...

... actually, Penn State kinda sounds like any big state university.

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 21:36 (twenty-one years ago)

i.e., the above description could have applied just as easily to Rutgers as it does to Penn State. at least Penn State's President didn't make racist comments (see the long-gone, unlamented and incredibly stupid former RU President Francis "We Gotta Allow Affirmative Action Because Blacks are Dumb" Lawrence").

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 21:37 (twenty-one years ago)

This reminds me of the fraternity at Nebraska who burned crosses as part of their initiation ritual. Also a fraternity at NU that used to wear blackface and grass skirts in an annual "ritual".

― Kerry (dymaxia), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 21:39 (twenty-one years ago)

No disprespect to Miccio, because I do think he is intelligent, but I always heard from grad students there who were pissed at the low intelligence of the undergrads that Penn State basically was required to admit any resident of PA that applied.

― Carey (Carey), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 21:42 (twenty-one years ago)

OMG, i can't be on this thread anymore. Flashbacks of how much I hated State College and how I wasted 2 years of life.

― Carey (Carey), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 21:44 (twenty-one years ago)

But Carey you moved out, so with therapy, those flashbacks should be less....

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 21:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Well no, I'd say PSU has a dominating jock culture more than most large universities, but for at least a somewhat good reason - Jo-Pah, right? It was ranked # 1 in the latest Princeton Review profile of colleges for "college where athleticism/ school sports" matter most, or some other silly-sounding jock category.

that Penn State basically was required to admit any resident of PA that applied

No that's simply not true, because I know plenty who didn't get in. Or I guess the main campus - hm...maybe that IS true for the regional campuses...

Ahh. This explains a LOT!

― Vic (Vic), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 21:56 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, something tells me that pennsylvania's high-school intellectual powerhouses don't go to PSU-Altoona, PSU-Hazleton or PSU-Shenango.

but these bigoted clowns ARE at State College!

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 22:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Could you actually imagine living in Altoona? I think that one is probably still better than whatever Penn State-McKeesport is like..

...but maybe I'm wrong! Look at this racially inclusive and harmonious - hell the black man is in the CENTER - picture from the PSU-McKeesport website!!

http://www.mk.psu.edu/studentlife/sl_ps.htm

― Vic (Vic), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 22:30 (twenty-one years ago)

You know they're all asking, "So Devin, what was slavery like?"

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 22:33 (twenty-one years ago)

"Deon, did your family know Kunta Kinte??" Devin is like the most white name ever.

― Vic (Vic), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 22:45 (twenty-one years ago)

You're joking, right? I don't know a single white Devin!

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 22:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Back when I applied for Penn State as an undergrad, I was instantly admitted into the uni and was offered a 'hefty' Black Scholar Award. Problerrm being I ain't Black, just Hispanic. I don't know how I would've gotten about claiming that. And the award only covered $500 outta the $20,000+ tuition cost. Also, my cousin attended P. State. He's sorta kinda yr typical rounded all-American football-playing boyish-looking type of guy who would normally have no trouble fitting in, circumstances considered. He's told me repeatedly those were probably the worst 4 years of his life, this mostly having to do with the quality of the people he met while living there.

― Francis Watlington (Francis Watlington), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 22:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm really good friends with a guy who did his undergrad at Penn State who seems to have enjoyed it primarily for the sheer amount of drinking he got to do. Doing a PhD at Harvard afterwards was super culture shock.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 22:54 (twenty-one years ago)

[[I've known three whities!! Well one was a Dev0n. Sadly, the wouldn't be any less lame no matter what color they were, but maybe would look better at least if they were more tanned. Its one of those names that is ruined for me now due to past experiences, so I'm sticking w/ Deon]]

Also, i've been told its oppresingly hard to get around the main campus when it snows. Btw, sorry about anything I may have said on this thread Anthony - come post now if you've been avoiding it!

― Vic (Vic), Tuesday, 9 December 2003 22:54 (twenty-one years ago)

I attended Penn State in undergrad, along with Mr. Miccio. I agree with the previous statement that Penn State is like any big state school in that their are extremists on the left and the right. I heard recently that the Young Americans for Freedom, the largest conservative organization in Penn State, is getting its members to take classes taught by liberal professors in order to make sure conservative views are expressed to the class and possibly frustrate the professors into leaving the university.

― theodore fogelsanger, Tuesday, 9 December 2003 23:37 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.artistdirect.com/Images/Sources/AMGCOVERS/music/cover200/drd200/d202/d20230qtsis.jpg

― h town represent, Tuesday, 9 December 2003 23:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I know a white girl Devin, but that's an exception I think.

"The College Republicans stands ... staunchly opposed to the mindset held by the radical left on college campuses across the country. Their viewpoints, which posit that any action or speech that gives discomfort to a vocal minority should be cause for censorship, persecution, or demands for public apologies, are the greatest threat to liberty in our time."

I hate that kind of bullshit argument that basically says "we have the right to say shit you don't like but you shouldn't have the right to say shit back."

― Maria (Maria), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 00:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Maria 100% OTM.

i should also preface my "extremists on the left (and right)" comment above by saying that said extremists were rather low in number. but what they lacked in ##s, they made up in volume. JUST LIKE IN REAL LIFE!!

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 00:36 (twenty-one years ago)

I have more anecdotes about Jason Covener than you could imagine. Just type his name into the Daily Collegian Archive and revel in his actions.

To be fair three years ago the liberal activist movement here was equally on crack. Someone allegedly sent a death threat to the Black Caucus president so the PC squad took over the HUB (the student activity center) and demanded that Penn State hire ten African-American Studies professors and grant them immediate tenure. PSU Prez Graham Spanier basically nodded at their list of crazy-ass demands and sat on his hands until they graduated.

Carey might have liked State College more if she ever left her house. That said it was totally fortuitous for me that she wasted two years of her life here. I wouldn't have known about this place otherwise, for one thing.

And PSU only feels the need to let in anybody FROM THIS COUNTY, not the entire state. And most of the idiots drop out fast. I know quite a few.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 00:55 (twenty-one years ago)

The high school here is actually relatively brainy, one of the more academically oriented large schools in the country (though that probably says more about the US right now). That's part of why PSU is quick to take kids from around here.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 00:59 (twenty-one years ago)

people in college can be so fucking stupid

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 01:02 (twenty-one years ago)

No one pointed out the best part:

"The bedrock principals [sic]...."

― Aaron W (Aaron W), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 01:02 (twenty-one years ago)

Why even include 'in college'?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 01:03 (twenty-one years ago)

and grad students are just as fucking annoying as the undergrads here, if "brighter" (woop de woop). All they do is bitch about this place and show up at the library over holidays (I'm trying to sleep, assholes!). Though I don't mind if anybody knocks PSU cuz I'm an embittered townie again. I'd probably hate this place too if I haven't been living here since high school.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 01:04 (twenty-one years ago)

oh and to explain, I believe Jason Covener was the man in blackface. About four years ago he got booted from the Student Government for putting a program in the office's computer that copied every word someone typed onto it. Then he fought to get back into the Government a few years later and IS STILL IN SCHOOL. Most of the College Republicans in this town have being going to school for eons.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 01:06 (twenty-one years ago)

well people in general, but people in college seem to get more haughty about their convictions in general and how what they're doing is sanctioned by blah fucking blah fucking blah (I'm talking specifically about:
"The bedrock principals [sic] of the conservative movement generally and the College Republicans in particular, are personal liberty and freedom of expression," Battaglia said in a written statement. "The College Republicans stands ... staunchly opposed to the mindset held by the radical left on college campuses across the country. Their viewpoints, which posit that any action or speech that gives discomfort to a vocal minority should be cause for censorship, persecution, or demands for public apologies, are the greatest threat to liberty in our time."

I mean, I don't like most republicans, but I doubt that many elected adult republican in public office would be this fucking stupid. There's some kind of rightous insanity that takes over people's brains in university.

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 01:07 (twenty-one years ago)

nitpicking time:

I mean, I don't like most republicans, but I doubt that many elected adult republican in public office would be this fucking stupid.

yer not to familiar with tom delay or rick santorum, i see.

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 01:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Ugh, just to reaffirm I am definitely leaving this town in one to two years so don't get the wrong idea. I just am not under the false impression that this town is much different than most non-liberal arts-oriented large college towns.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 01:20 (twenty-one years ago)

That "ugh" was inspired by reading the word "Santorum." Having typed it, I must say ugh again. Ugh.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 01:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Definition:
Santorum

Pronunciation: san-TOR-um
Function: noun
Etymology: Savage Love - 05/29/03
1. The frothy mix of lube and fecal matter that is sometimes the byproduct of anal sex.

2.

Senator Rick Santorum

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 01:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Had to be done folks.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 01:28 (twenty-one years ago)

you can't escape santorum unless you escape PA altogether. unless they vote his ass out in 2 years (hey, if they could vote out d'amato ...).

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 01:29 (twenty-one years ago)

he's got teeth like trigger the horse

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 01:29 (twenty-one years ago)

What an insult to Trigger!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 10 December 2003 01:39 (twenty-one years ago)

College-Republican Rhetoric (chronic): principles of free expression and intellectual inquiry allow us to take part in any legal activities we choose, no matter how directly offensive to others, with reciprocal claims that we are unfit for whatever positions of authority we might hold.

Congressional-Republical Rhetoric (late-90s): this adulterer is unfit to hold the office of the presidency!

― nabob, Wednesday, 10 December 2003 05:59 (twenty-one years ago)

(Incidentally once I was at the home-home of someone I was dating and we were looking through photo albums of when she was little and it was all "awww, weren't you a cute little thing" and then flip flip there's this Halloween picture of her parents in blackface with y'know really blunt jungle-man outfits and we both just sort of flipped past without saying anything and to be honest I still don't know whether our reactions to that matched in the least.)

― nabob, Wednesday, 10 December 2003 06:01 (twenty-one years ago)

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Penn State College Republicans Race Fiasco

MOMUS TO THREAD!!!