It started with good intentions, but the sports world's latest cringe-worthy social-media fail comes from an NBA team that tweeted a photo of a fan wearing blackface.
On Sunday night, the Utah Jazz posted a photo of two fans dressed up for Halloween as legendary duo John Stockton and Karl Malone. Here, via SB Nation is the photo in question:
Did the Jazz social-media producer on duty not look closely enough at the photo? Not understand how and why blackface is a wildly offensive concept to many people? Either way, the post was quickly deleted, and the Jazz offered this apology:
We apologize for the last retweet/tweet moments ago, we have taken it down as it may be insensitive.— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 27, 2013
The appearance of blackface -- traditionally used by actors in minstrel shows to depict stereotyped portrayals of African-Americans -- on an official NBA account predictably drew backlash from fans and non-fans online. But the Jazz are actually just the most recent in a long line of public figures to land in hot water for racially insensitive Halloween choices.
Actress Julianne Hough was roundly criticized after wearing blackface this weekend to dress up as a character from Orange Is the New Black for a Hollywood Halloween party.
These kinds of decisions are rarely a good idea. The Jazz are just the latest to learn this publicly.
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