Dear Dr. Boyce Watkins of Syracuse University:
On Sept. 10, you published a column on yourblackworld.com claiming that ASU’s “Black Out” campaign for last week’s football game was a racist act.
I, along with many students, completely disagree with your claim.
We find it appalling that you criticize us for partaking in an innocent campaign to support our highly anticipated football team. It’s even more absurd that you only observed the acts of a small number of students and assumed they represent the entire student body.
Contrary to your argument, the “Black Out” actually unified the fans. All of our athletes on the football team were circling their calendars all summer for this one game. I was at the game, and there were indeed a lot of African-Americans of all ages who not only attended, but also wore black.
Oh, and by the way, one of the students painted all black was African-American herself, according to several students who sat near her.
Anyone who follows sports well knows that ASU wasn’t the only team that requested their school to wear black. The University of Georgia’s athletic program formally asked their fans to “black out” during the 2008 Sugar Bowl in honor of their new black jerseys then (and I’m sure you’re aware of Georgia’s tumultuous history as a Southern state). People in Oakland paint themselves black all the time for Raiders games.
White-outs, yellow-outs, and even purple-outs happen all the time in big games, and fans will paint their bodies no matter what color it is. And these are nothing compared to Florida State or Washington Redskins fans dressing exactly like Native Americans every game.
Let’s go back to one of your claims in your article:
- “One has to laugh at the irony that a school with students showing up to a game in black face also happens to be highly dependent upon African Americans to run and jump, thus bringing millions to the university in revenue each year. The idea of black men working up a sweat for white folks in the stands wearing black face is beyond disturbing.”
It’s disturbing how you think about athletics in that way. Isn’t that the case for most major American universities?
I understand you take much pride in the black community, and are credible enough to often express your thoughts on national television. However, this was not supposed to be anything more than a way for loyal fans to show full support for their football team, not a political stance. Here at ASU, we respect people of every color, and it offends some of us to be portrayed otherwise for such a silly reason.
Our “Black Out” experience has actually gained positive feedback, and I’m sure ASU fans of all races would welcome it again for future games.
Sincerely,
Josh Nacion
Reach the columnist at jnacion@asu.edu
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