Pee Wee football game marred by racism

[Algorem]

http://www.wkyc.com/sports/sports_article.aspx?storyid=58405


Created: 10/25/2006 5:40:39 PM
Updated:10/25/2006 7:08:47 PM


HUDSON(Ohio) --

...Shaker parents say that Hudson fans, took their team spirit too far. They say those fans became offensive, even racist, because they wore black face and afro wigs.

The parents also claim the Hudson fans beat on frying pans on the sidelines...

"They were calling us "n"s -- the "n" word," is what one nine year old said...

"For them to expose their opponents to fans with afros and black face, that's not what we bought into," another coach, Gregory Alexander said. "One of the things that makes it so bad is it was allowed to continue."...

Video

Play Video-

http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?aid=27751&bw=

[sfwriter]

1. SHAME - RIP eom

[oasis]

2. RNC's Ken Mehlman would see no problem with Hudson's behavior. It's true,

everything changed after 9/11.:eyes:

[krkaufman]

4. Hell, Rove is already making sure that some ground troops ...

... are at the next game, to get them all registered as Republicans.

[ninkasi]

3. That's one of the most shameful, repulsive things I've ever heard of

How on earth could any of the adults have thought this was a good idea, or allowed it to happen? It's disgraceful, and only serves to show how ugly and repugnant racism is. We should have eliminated such hateful thoughts and behavior many years ago. Absolutely shameful and unforgivable.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. What year is this? 1806?!

I see stories like this and I just want to puke...Hell, I think I will...:puke:

Shame, shame, shame on those people!

[harlinchi]

14. I've got tot respond to a post of yours with which I agree.

This isn't the first one but usually I disagree. I'm not as informed on other topics as you but I'm learning. I just wanted you to know that I can (agree, that is!).

Besides, when missiles are incoming, being 'Behind the Aegis' is a good place to be (LOL).

[Behind the Aegis]

33. :)

Shhhhh. Don't make a big issue out of this. People may discover that I am actually a liberal and multi-faceted with interests in a number of things. Your response "humanizes" me! :evilgrin:

I find that posting here, being "Behind the Aegis," serves me well. :)

I look forward to other encounters as you learn more on certain topics. Continue to look for my posts on a variety of things, especially when certain topics are slow. :)

[harlinchi]

42. Thanks, but I think your posts humanize us all, even when we...

...disagree. Your passion reminds me of a co-worker who also has very strong feelings about 'other' topics. The fact that she is one of the smartest of us in a department of intelligent people (myself excluded!) kinda forces one to listen when she speaks.

I, a Black male entering middle age (46 years old), loudly and profanely defended her in a confrontation with another male (white) who was attempting to berate her for an imagined slight. I guess I'm kinda familial in that way: I can argue with family members but I bet' not hear someone else trying to!

Your open mind shows, though. I hope mine does as well.

[saigon68]

32. Saw the video DISGUSTING

guys running around with Black face paint






AND WIGS LKE THIS

[Raine]

6. Disgraceful

that this kind of shit is still going on in the 21st century! :mad: :grr:

[wholetruth00]

7. Really shows one what will eventulally cause the demise of US.

Ignorant and evil parents who train their children to hate.

[xchrom]

8. those tapeworms are raising kids?

part of the future of america is in their hands?

personally, i'd have them horse whipped in public.

but that's just me.

[sugapablo]

9. Stunned.

Seriously....

:puke: :wtf: :wow:

[wicket]

10. One of the young fans in black face:

:puke: :grr:

[Strawman]

22. that is a soul crushing photo

To see that child walking into his home right next to a mother who let him think going out like that to taunt other children with racist speech and dress like that is funny. Sick. With another kid in front of them. Awful. What kind of hate is taught in that house? And to think how it is accepted in their larger family and larger community is just sickening.

[wicket]

30. Amen

Soul crushing is a perfect way to describe it. So sad :cry:

[bunkerbuster1]

23. Forget the kid. Let's see a pic of that kid's parents.

Front and center. Address and phone info would be nice as well.

[sakabatou]

40. .

[PassingFair]

11. I'm glad I don't live there.

Seriously.

I don't get where ANYONE would think that this was OK.

In Detroit, there was a "fear the FRO" thing, centered around
our one of our pro basketball players, and I found THAT on the
edge of distasteful.

This was disgraceful. I bet this is Jean Schmidt's territory.....

[theHandpuppet]

13. You lose your bet

Hudson and Shaker Heights are Cleveland suburbs. Opposite end of the state from Schmidt territory. BTW, if memory serves me correctly, Shaker Heights is a very upper class burb. Here's a portion of the city profile, from their website at http://www.shakeronline.com/about/

Welcome to Shaker Heights! Just eight miles from downtown Cleveland, Shaker Heights is a tranquil, yet cosmopolitan and distinctive suburb. The City is known nationally as a model of diversity and superior public education.

Shaker Heights is a regional leader in the growing Green Building/Sustainable Community practices movement. It is one of the only communities in the midwest to have adopted legislation supporting green building.

It has a rich history and a bright future. Shaker Heights is a town of tree-lined neighborhoods and architecturally charming homes that invite residents to stroll, chat with each other, and to stay for a lifetime! " MORE

Here's the profile for Hudson, OH: http://www.hudson.oh.us/profile/about.asp

[Doremus]

18. It's the Hudson fans who were disrespectful.

Shaker is a culturally rich, diverse community. Lots of old money and huge estates with an equal or greater number of average housing, middle- and lower-class people and social service/political/activist groups. The people there learned long ago to respect other races, religions and cultures.

Hudson is also elite but predominantly white. I haven't checked, but I'd be surprised if they aren't also predominantly conservative.

After seeing this story, I'm wondering whether their homogeny isn't by design.

[theHandpuppet]

27. Yes, I realized that

I was just pointing out to the previous poster that these towns were nowhere near Jean Schmidt's district.

[Doremus]

28. I figured that was the case.

Just wanted to make it clear to other readers.

:hi:

[knitter4democracy]

19. Shaker is a wonderful town.

I taught at Beaumont, across the street from the Shaker school district, and we had many kids from there. Shaker is one of the most racially balanced towns in the US. Hudson is almost all white-flight families. Gee, I'm so suprised at their actions. :eyes:

[Strawman]

21. Sadly, there are a whole lot of people like that in our area too

I suspect the only difference between these people in Hudson, OH and the majority of my neighbors is that these people, for some odd reason, thought they could get away with displaying their prejudice that openly. The complete insensitivity of these Hudson folks is appalling and I guess techinically that makes suburban Detroit a better place to live in terms of racial sensitivity, but it still doesn't make it very good (and I don't think that's what you're saying) and I'm really not all that glad I live there in that regard.

I think the racial views of the average white person in the Detroit suburbs are pretty much awful, especially among those with less education. And I know I've been "felt out" on my racial views by neighbors who have made borderline prejudiced comments that I have not responded to approvingly. And I honestly believe that the fact that I don't share their racial views makes them view me as not one of them.

You know what I'm talking about don't you? I think suburban Detroit is just about as racist as anywhere and I really hate it. And it stifles my desire to act politically in my neighborhood because I don't feel very connected to these people at all in terms of what I believe. I don't want to knock on their doors and talk to them.

Being tolerant and progressive makes me an outlier in my neighborhood and it depresses me to have to say that about where I live. I take no satisfaction in feeling any kind of superiority in that regard.

[amandabeech]

43. Do your neighbors admit to living in the Detroit metro area,

or are they from "Southeast Michigan."

This former Outstater and U-M AA grad has heard plenty of that talk in the tourist trap areas and even at AA.

In my opinion, the riots made things worse than they already were, and it sounds like there's been little progress since.

[NorthernSpy]

12. Sore losers: racists' team loses 18 - 0

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/116185167396840.xml&coll=2

The Shaker Raiders beat the (Hudson) Black Hawks, 18-0.

:woohoo:

Saffold said he twice previously complained to Hudson coaches about the use of the N-word.

He said after Sunday's game, he complained to John Elffers, president of the Hudson Hawks Youth Football Association, who sent him a letter apologizing for the fans' actions.

Elffers, however, said the first complaint he heard came Monday when Saffold called him and said parents of Shaker players were offended. Elffers said he doubted supporters meant to be offensive.

"Their actions, albeit unwise, foolish and insensitive, were meant to be totally supportive and not intended to insult or offend anyone in any way," Elffers wrote in his letter to Saffold. "We regret what occurred and apologize for any righteous indignation these actions may have caused to the coaches, players, parents and family members of the Shaker football organization."

:eyes:

[wicket]

15. How could it possible have not been intended to insult

What a non-apology apology. :mad:

[annabanana]

16. "Elffers said he doubted supporters meant to be offensive."???

On what planet, in what time-space continuum is the use of the "N-word" NOT meant to be offensive??

That's disgusting

[htuttle]

17. LOL I was just about to ask the exact same question

On what planet, in what decade, indeed...

[FormerDem06]

41. On BET about every five minutes....

Not defending the actions, but all the little white kids around here want to be hip-hop, and where do they get their role models for said lifestyle? BET and MTV2, and guess what word is used a LOT on those stations. I heard an 11 year old white kid say it the other day and I asked him where he heard it, and he said on TV on a video.

He pulled up his 2 size too big jeans with his boxers showing and walked off.

[wickerwoman]

44. When I was 11

I knew the difference between two black people calling each other the n word as a sign of cameraderie and a white person calling a black person the n word in the context of an insult. I'm betting these kids (and damn sure their parents) knew exactly what they were doing.

I used to referee youth soccer. I once had a nine year old scream that I was a "bitch" because I didn't call a penalty against another kid who barely touched him. His mother came racing off the sidelines hissing "Don't you call the referee a bitch to her face!" I can't imagine where the kid got it from!

[0rganism]

34. "apologize for any righteous indignation these actions may have caused"

worthless condescending non-apology

Saffold needs to bring this grievance to the pee-wee league supervisory board. Nothing will happen locally. Hudson racists need to learn that their behavior is not acceptible to others.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[brentspeak]

25. I don't see why you're singling out the Red States. Plenty of racists everywhere

racism, reverse-racism, etc. Not limited at all to the South.

[AzDar]

24. What is WRONG with people? This question rolls through my

dear little head AT LEAST 3 times a day lately.
Has the world always been awful and I just wasn't paying attention?

[pampango]

26. Glad this didn't occur in the South.

So many here seem to feel that racism and bigotry are a southern disease. Wish that it were so.

I live in southern Ohio and see racism more often here than when I lived in Alabama.

[wicket]

31. I live in Boston and have seen plenty of racism

Racism and stupidity certainly is not limited to one geographic area.

[nini]

29. Unbelieveable

Those poor kids to be exposed to that crap. :cry:

[SemperEadem]

35. what's even sadder

is that those Hudson kids learned that from their parents.

Children aren't born racist: they're taught to own their parents dysfunctions as if it's their burden in life to carry.

[Omaha Steve]

36. My granddaughter is blonde and blue eyes 1/4 Black 1/16th Cherokee

How do I explain this to her at 10 years old?

[Algorem]

37. someone should drive through Hudson tomorrow and videotape all the

Republican campaign signs that are no doubt all over the lawns there.

[daysleeper]

39. RE

I actually had to drive through there last night and you would be surprised at the large amount of Strickland and Brown signs that were up.

[Nevernose]

38. Some people just need to get the shit kicked out of them

Pure and simple.