Posted on 10/14/2012 5:16:21 PM PDT by massmike
If a young man walks by wearing a sweatshirt with a hood tight around the chin, face somewhat concealed and hands tucked inside the pouch pockets, what comes to mind?
Thug? A mugging is imminent? What's in his hands? Trayvon Martin?
More often than not, Rochelle Oliver and Gauis Benbow believe, its a negative stereotype that emerges. That's what they are trying to challenge with their "Halloween Hoodie" campaign — an effort to have Americans of all shades don hoodies on the one day of the year when fear is supposed to be fun.
"The hoodie is this ubiquitous piece of clothing that everyone wears but when black people wear it, it's interpreted as a symbol of criminal activity," Benbow said, a 30-year-old Miami-based graphic artist. "There are a lot of stereotypes that get thrown around and we need to be aware of them to deconstruct them."
He teamed up with Oliver, an independent producer in South Florida, after a conversation about Halloween festivities turned into a discussion about the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
"This isn't about being pro-Trayvon. It's about being anti-stereotyping," Oliver said "Seeing someone wearing a hoodie on Halloween will hopefully allow people to examine what they are feeling if they are scared or why they may be judging the person as a threat."
(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...
It sounds like a night of good cover for robbers, muggers and thieves who can do their business then quickly blend in with the crowd.
>>”The hoodie is this ubiquitous piece of clothing that everyone wears but when black people wear it, it’s interpreted as a symbol of criminal activity,”<<
No, the hoodie, when worn with the hood forward to hide the face is used by criminals of all races. It was most famously used by the Unibomber.
Just as oversized pants hanging down are use for hiding weapons, a hoodie worn that way is a declaration of criminal intent.
Yup. All they would need is some skittles and a can of arizona ice tea to complete the terrifying costume and make people think they are up to no good and may want to smash your head on the sidewalk. Real good idear! Can you say “dumbasses’? Time to quit glorifying this punk.
Helping keep mankind warm for 65 years.
If you show up on my doorstep, wearing a hoodie, looking down and saying “trick or treat”, and you think that I will feel safe? These 2 artsy idiot liberals are a waste of oxygen.
If you wear it with a knit cap, carrying a latte while playing with a smart phone, people wont associate you with being anything other than being a pretentious dork.
In other words, dont look like a thug and people wont think of you as one.
No, the hoodie, when worn with the hood forward to hide the face is used by criminals of all races. It was most famously used by the Unibomber.
Which is why banks and fi institutions have signs on the doors to remove the hoodie/hat whatever.
These AH’s are attempting to trivialize the little punk Travons appearance the night his trip on the wrong track ended.
“but when black people wear it, it’s interpreted as a symbol of criminal activity”
No, when criminals wear it, they’re still criminals.
When people acting like civilized humans wear it, nobody
really takes notice.
“There are a lot of stereotypes that get thrown around and we need to be aware of them to deconstruct them.”
Yep, like those guys wearing a ski mask in a bank.
Fear is an emotion you ought not to phuque with.
I don't watch zombie flicks or any other of those kinds of movies.
I want my fear alert and intact, on the ready to save my or another's life.
It’s not the hoodie; it’s how the person wears the hoodie. Call me a racist, but if I see a person (black, white, brown, green, purple, whatever) wearing a hoodie with the hood up and partially covering his face on a warm dry day or evening, then I start to think the person might be up to no good. Add in the pants below the ass, a grill, and a swagger, and I’ll go out of my way to avoid a conftontation. Sure I could be wrong, but statistically, I’ll error on the side of caution. Perception is everything.
So, I guess wearing a hood up on a warm autumn evening in darkness isn't stereotyping.
Looks like I needs to get me a KelTec 380 to fend off trick-or-treaters
Sorry, but anyone that covers a face is not cool but idiotic especially in the hot summer. I wouldn’t open a door or be ‘unaware’ of anyone that does.
I don’t care what color they are, they’re up to no-good or just plain stupid.
You already got your skittles.
Go home punk .
How doe pants halfway down you tush aid in concealing a weapon? I cc, but my (|) isn’t visible.
Who wants to go looking like Belichick?
What a couple of fools. Someone comes to my door like that will be met by my good friend Walther. My teenage daughter has a hoodie with her university logo on it. No one would stereotype her as criminal, but maybe as pep rally supporter. She doesn’t wear it thug style. These two fools seem to have never heard of “dress for success.” I hope this campaign doesn’t get someone killed.
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