Posted on 07/26/2005 2:20:54 PM PDT by Imani
Miami city leaders are apologizing for a news release that invited summer campers to a ''Ghetto Style Talent Show'' and ''Watermelon Eating Contest.''
ADVERTISEMENT
The release said that children participating in the summer camp who "know the meaning of ghetto style" would have a chance to "prove just how ghetto they are.''
Members of the black community expressed outrage at the wording of the invitation to the talent show. The show will be part of the grand finale picnic for the city's summer camp program to be held Friday at Hadley Park.
After being criticized by residents of the nearby Model City neighborhood and community leaders, Miami Parks Director Ernest Burkeen, who is black, released a formal apology and announced the renaming of the talent show.
The show will now be called the "Funky Talent Show," according to Burkeen's written statement. The watermelon contest will still be part of the event.
Even though the name has been changed, Burkeen did still continue to defend the choice of the name for the show.
"The word 'ghetto' was used to imply a down home show, not something offensive, but embracing the culture of today's youth and their language," he said.
Church and community leaders said that changing the name isn't enough -- the damage has already been done.
"It's almost equivalent to saying, 'We're having bananas at Jose Marti Park' and referring to Miami as a 'Banana Republic,'" the Rev. Richard Dunn said.
Other critics said that the watermelon eating contest is a painful reminder of racially insensitive stereotypes.
"Watermelon, back in the days, was a good food for African Americans, according to the Bible, but at the same time, it had an attachment with slavery and bondage ties," the Rev. Carl Johnson said.
Some members of the community had a different perspective and said that critics were missing the point.
Michael Hardaway said, "They have to understand that the young generation has a whole different style than they do … At a ghetto-style talent show the kids are getting together to show their talent."
Other community activists said changing the name of the contest is just the start of what needs to happen.
Dunn suggested that instead of buying hundreds of watermelons for the contest, the money could be spent on school supplies and backpacks for kids who need them.
Andre Williams said, "No more watermelons --- and as Reverend Dunn says, we need to give books and school supplies to our children."
City officials said Tuesday that the contest is popular and it will not be canceled. The picnic will go on Friday as planned and will include up to 3,000 children from across the city.
Agree about Brownsville. Bushwick, however, has St. Barbara's and is now being marketed by realtors as "East Williamsburg." I'm sure there's some kid who just moved from Seattle or Ohio who falls for that line.
My dads hometown of Newark, NJ hit rock bottom during the crack epidemic, although things have stabalized. Of course, a lot of it has to do with the fact that much of the crack generation is now behind bars or dead and that many of the former inhabitants of Brick City have been "relocated" by HUD to Bloomfield, the Oranges, Linden, etc.
I thought the term was Ghetto Fabulous.
I made some watermelen ice milk last week that was delicious~!
put a half a watermelon in the blender until smooth(remove seeds)
add about a cup of milk or half and half and about a half cup of sugar (TASTE TEST FOR BEST RESULTS)
put it in the ice cream maker and enjoy
I said "who cares" and kept enjoying that watermelon.
(Thought you'd enjoy this little story w)
We had the neighbors over for watermelon last week so I know Mormons eat watermelon.
I just love it cold and sweet.
I don't eat near as much as I would like because of all the natural sugar in it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.