YES VIRGINA racism exists all over the world..! A young white Australian woman turned 21 and decided to have an
"African" themed birthday party. After the festivities, she posted
photos to Facebook. Ignorance, insensitivity and racism ahoy!
She posted a clarification on Tumblr noting, “I have always wanted to
go to Africa (to teach english) but haven’t made it there yet. “ ( my Advice to her is...you better not go now)
HERES WHAT THE CRAZY CHICK WROTE:
Okay don’t even know how to use tumblr but wanted to clarify this.
It
was my ‘African themed’ party and it was honestly made that theme
because I have always wanted to go to Africa (to teach english) but
haven’t made it there yet. In no way was this party intended to hurt
anyones feelings or upset anyone at all. In fact as you can tell from
the photos I dressed up as cleopatra, whilst MAJORITY of my guests came
as animals, that can be found in africa or wore traditional african
clothes or even dressed up as famous people who come from africa. If
anything this was to celebrate the amazing country and people. However,
some guest did decide to paint themselves, although this was in no way
my intention or encouraged in the slightest. I understand that this has
offended some people and I have no idea how these photos have even been
seen, they were simply put on facebook for my guests to see the photos
of themselves. I am 100% sure that parties would be held that would be
‘Australian themed’ or American themed or even countries of the world,
and in that instance I don’t believe anyone would be offended. People
wear oktoberfest cotumes to parties and no one cracks it that they are
not German? So what I am saying is I do understand the people who have
painted themselves have offended people, although none of them intended
that…. but how can people be annoyed that the majority of the people at
the party were celebrating another countries culture. Also one of my
friends who is Mauritian painted himself white, but that photos didn’t
make it to this page along with the MAJORITY of people who were
amazingly detailed costumes that no one could take offense to!! I am
sure that not one person at my party felt upset that said guest painted
himself white as it was not meant in that way at all. Also, I have NEVER
been asked to take these photos down, however if I had of course I
would have done so, as I had no idea that anyone other than friends and
guests could see these photos, and to be honest I am not a racist person
at all so I didn’t think
anyone could possibly take it that way. I
intend to spend 2 months teaching english in cambodia in January, and
cant wait to do the same in Africa. If you will still have me. To
reiterate, I was cleopatra and did not encourage my guest to wear
anything racist simply to come as something African Inspired, much like
if you went to an australia day party (Which I am 100% sure people of
all races and cultures do every year!!!) Again I am sorry for those I
have offended and the photos have now been removed now that I have
eventually been made aware people were upset. For those who know me at
all you would know the last thing in the world I would want to do would
be to offend people.
