African caricature "Mama Jama" named parade grand marshal

[creavolution]

In my hometown, a white lady (a school board member at that) promotes literacy by dressing as an African caricature called "Mama Jama" and reading books to kids. "Mama Jama" was recently named grand marshal of our 4th of July parade and has a TV show on our local government TV channel. There is a petition to remove the show from the air. See the petition for more details, along with video of the "Mama Jama" show.

see change [dot] org /petitions/remove-mama-jama-caricature-from-lgtv

 

[Intense]

In my hometown, a white lady (a school board member at that) promotes literacy by dressing as an African caricature called "Mama Jama" and reading books to kids. "Mama Jama" was recently named grand marshal of our 4th of July parade and has a TV show on our local government TV channel. There is a petition to remove the show from the air. See the petition for more details, along with video of the "Mama Jama" show.

see change [dot] org /petitions/remove-mama-jama-caricature-from-lgtv

n Troup County, Georgia, Debbie Burdette, a school board member and current school board candidate, promotes child literacy in the community -- which is undoubtedly a laudable endeavor. However, Burdette, a white woman, promotes literacy by reading books to children while she is dressed as an African caricature called "Mama Jama." The "Mama Jama" character has a television show on LGTV, the government television channel in the City of LaGrange, Georgia, and "Mama Jama" was recently named grand marshal of the Fourth of July parade in LaGrange. (Note that "Mama Jama," not Burdette, was named grand marshal; you can see the announcement in the local newspaper at LaGrange News -)

Many people in our community find it racially offensive when Burdette dresses in traditional African clothing and assumes the "Mama Jama" character. Burdette says that she wears the costume to get attention, but surely a school board member can find a less offensive method of capturing the attention of children.

According to the website for Troup County Certified Literate Community Program, of which Burdette is the Executive Director, she "created the character of Mama Jama 16 years ago [in 1994] to help teach Bible studies for her son’s Vacation Bible School at First Presbyterian Church" and "since then, Mama Jama has become a beloved storyteller and champion for literacy." (Visit the website for the Troup County Certified Literate Community Program and see a photo of the "Mama Jama" character here: Troup County Certified Literate Community Program (Troup County CLCP))

The Ohio University group STARS (Students Teaching About Racism in Society) explains why this type of costume is offensive in their campaign "We're a Culture, Not a Costume." Essentially, the group explains, it's not okay to reduce an entire culture or ethnicity to a silly caricature. (Learn more about STARS at S*T*A*R*S)


Human Rights Petition: Remove "Mama Jama" Caricature from LGTV | Change.org

 

[Oddball]

More overly sensitive lolberals all pissed off over nothing....Stop the presses!

What's next, German lolberals pissed off about lederhosen being worn at Oktoberfest?

 

[Moonglow]

See the movie "White Girls", and then get back to me.

 

[52ndStreet]

In my hometown, a white lady (a school board member at that) promotes literacy by dressing as an African caricature called "Mama Jama" and reading books to kids. "Mama Jama" was recently named grand marshal of our 4th of July parade and has a TV show on our local government TV channel. There is a petition to remove the show from the air. See the petition for more details, along with video of the "Mama Jama" show.

see change [dot] org /petitions/remove-mama-jama-caricature-from-lgtv

n Troup County, Georgia, Debbie Burdette, a school board member and current school board candidate, promotes child literacy in the community -- which is undoubtedly a laudable endeavor. However, Burdette, a white woman, promotes literacy by reading books to children while she is dressed as an African caricature called "Mama Jama." The "Mama Jama" character has a television show on LGTV, the government television channel in the City of LaGrange, Georgia, and "Mama Jama" was recently named grand marshal of the Fourth of July parade in LaGrange. (Note that "Mama Jama," not Burdette, was named grand marshal; you can see the announcement in the local newspaper at LaGrange News -)

Many people in our community find it racially offensive when Burdette dresses in traditional African clothing and assumes the "Mama Jama" character. Burdette says that she wears the costume to get attention, but surely a school board member can find a less offensive method of capturing the attention of children.

According to the website for Troup County Certified Literate Community Program, of which Burdette is the Executive Director, she "created the character of Mama Jama 16 years ago [in 1994] to help teach Bible studies for her son’s Vacation Bible School at First Presbyterian Church" and "since then, Mama Jama has become a beloved storyteller and champion for literacy." (Visit the website for the Troup County Certified Literate Community Program and see a photo of the "Mama Jama" character here: Troup County Certified Literate Community Program (Troup County CLCP))

The Ohio University group STARS (Students Teaching About Racism in Society) explains why this type of costume is offensive in their campaign "We're a Culture, Not a Costume." Essentially, the group explains, it's not okay to reduce an entire culture or ethnicity to a silly caricature. (Learn more about STARS at S*T*A*R*S)


Human Rights Petition: Remove "Mama Jama" Caricature from LGTV | Change.org

White devil Americans have been stealing from black American culture for decades.
If a White devil woman wants to dress up like a Black Aunt Jumimah mama Jama, so be it,
the white people in America have been stealing from Black Americans for hundreds of years.

 

[Intense]

More overly sensitive lolberals all pissed off over nothing....Stop the presses!

What's next, German lolberals pissed off about lederhosen being worn at Oktoberfest?

Matters of Conscience are for each of us to decide, Individually. Creavolution has a legitimate point.

 

[Intense]

In my hometown, a white lady (a school board member at that) promotes literacy by dressing as an African caricature called "Mama Jama" and reading books to kids. "Mama Jama" was recently named grand marshal of our 4th of July parade and has a TV show on our local government TV channel. There is a petition to remove the show from the air. See the petition for more details, along with video of the "Mama Jama" show.

see change [dot] org /petitions/remove-mama-jama-caricature-from-lgtv

n Troup County, Georgia, Debbie Burdette, a school board member and current school board candidate, promotes child literacy in the community -- which is undoubtedly a laudable endeavor. However, Burdette, a white woman, promotes literacy by reading books to children while she is dressed as an African caricature called "Mama Jama." The "Mama Jama" character has a television show on LGTV, the government television channel in the City of LaGrange, Georgia, and "Mama Jama" was recently named grand marshal of the Fourth of July parade in LaGrange. (Note that "Mama Jama," not Burdette, was named grand marshal; you can see the announcement in the local newspaper at LaGrange News -)

Many people in our community find it racially offensive when Burdette dresses in traditional African clothing and assumes the "Mama Jama" character. Burdette says that she wears the costume to get attention, but surely a school board member can find a less offensive method of capturing the attention of children.

According to the website for Troup County Certified Literate Community Program, of which Burdette is the Executive Director, she "created the character of Mama Jama 16 years ago [in 1994] to help teach Bible studies for her son’s Vacation Bible School at First Presbyterian Church" and "since then, Mama Jama has become a beloved storyteller and champion for literacy." (Visit the website for the Troup County Certified Literate Community Program and see a photo of the "Mama Jama" character here: Troup County Certified Literate Community Program (Troup County CLCP))

The Ohio University group STARS (Students Teaching About Racism in Society) explains why this type of costume is offensive in their campaign "We're a Culture, Not a Costume." Essentially, the group explains, it's not okay to reduce an entire culture or ethnicity to a silly caricature. (Learn more about STARS at S*T*A*R*S)


Human Rights Petition: Remove "Mama Jama" Caricature from LGTV | Change.org

White devil Americans have been stealing from black American culture for decades.
If a White devil woman wants to dress up like a Black Aunt Jumimah mama Jama, so be it,
the white people in America have been stealing from Black Americans for hundreds of years.

Devils come in all colors, sizes, and shapes.

 

[Oddball]

More overly sensitive lolberals all pissed off over nothing....Stop the presses!

What's next, German lolberals pissed off about lederhosen being worn at Oktoberfest?

Matters of Conscience are for each of us to decide, Individually. Creavolution has a legitimate point.

How else are you supposed to dress and depict ethnic Africans, in red coats and busbys?

 

[Intense]

More overly sensitive lolberals all pissed off over nothing....Stop the presses!

What's next, German lolberals pissed off about lederhosen being worn at Oktoberfest?

Matters of Conscience are for each of us to decide, Individually. Creavolution has a legitimate point.

How else are you supposed to dress and depict ethnic Africans, in red coats and busbys?

I don't have a problem with free expression, personally. I do understand the sensitivity though, and do sympathize. I think sometimes we all, to one extent or another need thicker skins. I'm not an advocate for censorship. Personally, I avoid bad taste by using the Remote Control. I was trying to help a Noob, with the link. Again, there are good points in it that swing both ways.

 

[Mad Scientist]

I'll bet she a Bad Mama Jama too!