Miami city leaders are apologizing for a news release that invited summer campers to a ''Ghetto Style Talent Show'' and ''Watermelon Eating Contest.''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.
To: Edwin
From: Prederick
Subject: Your State
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is in the water down there? Tons of uncut cocaine?
Where (chapter/verse) the hell does it say that?!
Anyone who posted in this thread is a racist.*
*Except me. - Certis
Book of Groceries, Chapter 11, Verse 5.
It's in the apocyphra.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." - Churchill
Throughout my childhood years in Africa, Europe, and Asia and entirely outside of America, I ate countless watermellons and didn't realize just how ghetto I, in fact, am. So howzit hangin', homes?
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How sad...
"I like to hear people talking when they're not talking to me," I said. "It's soothing to know that I don't have to listen." -- Bill Harris describing a truism.
It could've been a lot worse.
Rules cannot trump power -- The Godfather Doctrine
Blog
Our state is f*cked up beyond belief. Believe me when I saw the first chance I get to get the f*ck out of here I will take it.
Anyone looking for a room mate/lan party buddy? Maybe JMDanny wants to come also.
Florida is awesome. Don't bad mouth the motherland.
They should have had stolen TV relay races like on "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka".
Did you make that up? Cause that is hilarious.
"That's because you were 10. Everyone likes Garfield when they're 10. When you're 10 you think a cat eating lasagna is genius." - Mumford
2005 GWJFFL League Champion
Recent events, however, made me re-assess the group watermellon eating pursuits far more soberly.
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That watermelon looks damn good. But I would prefer a seed spitting contest over encouraging kids to gorge themselves on the delicious funkygranate.
"Shell me, beaches!" - NSMike