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Halloween Display Racial?Follow

#1 Oct 17 2007 at 8:20 AM Rating: Decent
IMO opinion, this is kind of ridiculous.

Quote:
Family, under pressure, removes its hanged dummy
Display brought two days of turmoil to Madison
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
BY MELISSA CASTRO
Star-Ledger Staff
Chesla Flood couldn't believe her eyes. A hangman's noose circled the neck of a black-hooded, jeans-clad dummy suspended from the chimney of a house in Madison.

Flood called her mother, Millie Hazlewood, who reported the Halloween display to police. She wasn't the only one. Police went to the property at least three times starting Sunday, and even the mayor asked the homeowners to take down the figure.

At 8 last night, the family relented, saying they feared for their safety.

"It's no more like freedom of speech anymore," Cheryl Maines said. "My son had to take this down because these people have blown this thing out of proportion."

Before the figure was removed yesterday, Madison Mayor Ellwood "Woody" Kerkeslager said "the appearance and the suggestion (of racism) is there, and it's inappropriate."

At least four recent noose displays -- one each in Jena, La., and Philadelphia and two in New York City -- are drawing renewed attention to a potent symbol of racism, lynchings and the era of Jim Crow segregation.

Unlike those incidents, the Madison figure was part of a Halloween display, and for two days, homeowners Cheryl and David Maines, the borough's superintendent of public works, refused to budge. They said they had done nothing wrong.

Meanwhile, the state chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People denounced the display as offensive, racist and insensitive.

"I think there are many people who understand the significance of a noose as it relates to the history of African-Americans," said James Harris, president of the NAACP's state chapter. "We thought we lived beyond the era when people felt it was okay to have that type of display."

Last night, the Maines family said they would be replacing their Halloween display and erecting a sign reading: "Thanks to the assistance of Millie Hazlewood and her friends, Halloween and Christmas decorations will no longer be celebrated here."


BLURRED LINES

The incident revived the persistent question of what is entertaining and what is offensive.

"The lines have all been blurred, and people push the limits just to see how far we can go" to shock each other, said James Farrelly, a Halloween expert and professor of Irish studies at the University of Dayton. But Farrelly, a Newark native, said, "I don't know if we have a blank check to celebrate this by putting out our own sense of what we think is evil or might scare people."

D.J. Maines, the 27-year-old son of Cheryl and David Maines, has bedecked the house for seven Halloweens using $5,000 worth of decorations he has collected. He has used the hanging dummy each year, but usually it is partially hidden by other decorations.

George Martin, a deacon at the First Baptist Church, which Hazlewood attends, said the noose evoked personal memories of terror and loss growing up in the South in the 1950s and 1960s. He said he lost his great-uncle to a lynching in South Carolina. His father watched his uncle and a friend die in a lynching, he said.

"It's the same imagery we saw as young people -- black faces, dungarees and ropes around the body and neck," said Martin, who is also a member of the district board of education.

Cheryl Maines said she was not swayed by Martin's personal history.

"Don't bring your ancestors into this -- it's something that happened; you've got to get beyond it or you're going to make yourself sick," she said.

Madison police checked with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office to determine whether the noose display was illegal or could be ordered down, according to police records. Two assistant prosecutors and a detective reviewed the matter and answered no to both questions.

In New York, politicians, community leaders and activists are calling for a law that would make it a felony to use a noose to harass or play a prank. State Sen. Eric Adams and New York City leaders gathered Sunday on the steps of Columbia Teachers College to call for the stiffer penalty on noose incidents.


I have a huge Halloween display in my yard. Everything from a graveyard to a guillotine to a hangman's noose. No one has complained to me about it and I have had it out there for years. In fact, I have received many compliments about the things we built.

It's Halloween people, its supposed to be scary and fun for kids with no racial intentions. I can almost see if it was just a dummy hanging from a tree but it was part of a huge display.

****** PC police...
#3 Oct 17 2007 at 8:29 AM Rating: Excellent
I know someone is going to ***** about my stance on this, so here is a preemptive "Eat me".

The noose was original used to hunt and fish and later turned into a form of Capital Punishment, which of course, inevitably found its way to a specific group of people. No, not black people but poor people. Peasants.

Granted, later on in times it became a symbol of racism to African Americans but lets face it, Imus is the Devil, Nancy Regan doesn't even know we have colored people in the Country and Halloween is evil.
#4 Oct 17 2007 at 8:30 AM Rating: Excellent
Instead of removing the dummy they should have hung up several more with white, yellow, blue, and red hoods.
#5 Oct 17 2007 at 8:31 AM Rating: Excellent
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Kyoshindi wrote:
Instead of removing the dummy they should have hung up several more with white, yellow, blue, and red hoods.

And try and make a rainbow? What do you have against Nixnot's army?
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#6 Oct 17 2007 at 8:32 AM Rating: Good
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*GASP* A hanged figure wearing black on HALLOWEEN? What were they thinking?! Those racist bastards!
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#7 Oct 17 2007 at 8:33 AM Rating: Decent
Kyoshindi wrote:
Instead of removing the dummy they should have hung up several more with white, yellow, blue, and red hoods.


Why? So GLAD can make a big stink about this?
#8 Oct 17 2007 at 8:33 AM Rating: Good
So your going to make me take it down then? Huh!?!

Smiley: motz
#9 Oct 17 2007 at 8:35 AM Rating: Excellent
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I'm beginning to think the terrorists were on to something. Maybe eradicating North America would be good. Give those of that survive, a clean start.
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#10 Oct 17 2007 at 8:36 AM Rating: Excellent
I am going to contact every single Wiccan and Pagan friend I have to get a signature campaign going. It will explore in detail the horrible feelings of terror and offense we feel when we see witches in Halloween decorations. The history of burning witches, herb ladies, and anyone else who held fast against the Christian "missionary by the sword" tactics is welling up inside of us, and we are offended and shocked by this insensitive display of our religious heritage.

Seriously, your country is going to hell in a handbasket. Your PC cUnts are taking care of that.
#11 Oct 17 2007 at 8:46 AM Rating: Decent
NorthAI the Hand wrote:

Seriously, your country is going to hell in a handbasket. Your PC cUnts are taking care of that.


I couldn't agree with this statement anymore. I am so sick and tired of everyone being offended at everything. Someone mentioned it yesterday, I think it was Sami - "grow some thicker skin"

I can't believe the NAACP got involved. I have a guillotine in my display, are my French neighbors offended?

#12 Oct 17 2007 at 9:04 AM Rating: Decent
Prettier Than You
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12,975 posts
Sigh.

They're going to rape Halloween now? The whole freaking country is turning into the next Christmas catastrophe. Happy Holidays? No, god damn it. It's Merry Christmas.

Jesus tapdancing Christ.
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#13 Oct 17 2007 at 9:10 AM Rating: Excellent
Kakusaijin wrote:
Happy Holidays? No, god damn it. It's Merry Christmas.


Why do people get so freakin' upset about "Happy Holidays?"

I always assumed that it encompassed "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year," and any other holiday in that time period. Why is that a bad thing?
#14 Oct 17 2007 at 9:12 AM Rating: Decent
Belkira the Tulip wrote:
Kakusaijin wrote:
Happy Holidays? No, god damn it. It's Merry Christmas.


Why do people get so freakin' upset about "Happy Holidays?"

I always assumed that it encompassed "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year," and any other holiday in that time period. Why is that a bad thing?


I usually just reply with my standard "GFY." I don't hear to much of it these days.
#15 Oct 17 2007 at 9:13 AM Rating: Good
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What a bunch of over-sensative, butthurt-prone asshats. I wonder if they know that people besides blacks have been hung by nooses...


Edited, Oct 17th 2007 12:13pm by Usagichan
#16 Oct 17 2007 at 9:13 AM Rating: Good
Belkira the Tulip wrote:
Kakusaijin wrote:
Happy Holidays? No, god damn it. It's Merry Christmas.


Why do people get so freakin' upset about "Happy Holidays?"

I always assumed that it encompassed "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year," and any other holiday in that time period. Why is that a bad thing?


cause they had to make it such a big ******* deal.

Honestly if it had just happened, good and well. If they have to scold everyone every time hey say it, then people get uppity about it.

Its like telling a smoker every time that you see them light up that it gives them cancer....it just makes them smoke that much more and hate you more as well.
#17 Oct 17 2007 at 9:14 AM Rating: Good
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God, I want a cigarette. 6 weeks in and this has been the hardest day so far. Smiley: cry
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#18 Oct 17 2007 at 9:15 AM Rating: Decent
Belkira the Tulip wrote:
Kakusaijin wrote:
Happy Holidays? No, god damn it. It's Merry Christmas.


Why do people get so freakin' upset about "Happy Holidays?"

I always assumed that it encompassed "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year," and any other holiday in that time period. Why is that a bad thing?


It's not the phrase itself.. it's the fact that it was practically shoved down everyone's throats when the politically correct subculture decided that saying Merry Christmas was unfairly offensive and repressive of other religions in this country.

I have half a mind to repeat the very incident in the OP here, just to see if it garners the same level of attention.

Oh wait, I live in an apartment and don't have a house. Someone else wanna take care of that for me?
#19 Oct 17 2007 at 9:16 AM Rating: Excellent
Blacktuesday wrote:
cause they had to make it such a big @#%^ing deal.

Honestly if it had just happened, good and well. If they have to scold everyone every time hey say it, then people get uppity about it.

Its like telling a smoker every time that you see them light up that it gives them cancer....it just makes them smoke that much more and hate you more as well.


Who makes such a big deal about it? Because I've heard more people ******** and saying, "It's supposed to be 'Merry Christmas,' dammit!" than I have heard people say, "Oooh, you have to say 'Happy Holidays...'"

I don't understand why it's offensive to take other people's beliefs into account.
#20 Oct 17 2007 at 9:18 AM Rating: Good
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Just noticed this part:

Quote:
Last night, the Maines family said they would be replacing their Halloween display and erecting a sign reading: "Thanks to the assistance of Millie Hazlewood and her friends, Halloween and Christmas decorations will no longer be celebrated here."


Way to go, you f*cking politically-correct douchebags.
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#21 Oct 17 2007 at 9:19 AM Rating: Decent
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Belkira the Tulip wrote:
Blacktuesday wrote:
cause they had to make it such a big @#%^ing deal.

Honestly if it had just happened, good and well. If they have to scold everyone every time hey say it, then people get uppity about it.

Its like telling a smoker every time that you see them light up that it gives them cancer....it just makes them smoke that much more and hate you more as well.


Who makes such a big deal about it? Because I've heard more people ******** and saying, "It's supposed to be 'Merry Christmas,' dammit!" than I have heard people say, "Oooh, you have to say 'Happy Holidays...'"

I don't understand why it's offensive to take other people's beliefs into account.
Because all through my childhood, "Merry Christmas" was perfectly acceptable, and wasn't that big of a deal.

It's just a habit of mine, and I get really sick and tired of being corrected for it. It doesn't happen nearly ever since I've moved to NC, but people were so damn particular in Florida.
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#22 Oct 17 2007 at 9:20 AM Rating: Excellent
Kakusaijin wrote:
Because all through my childhood, "Merry Christmas" was perfectly acceptable, and wasn't that big of a deal.

It's just a habit of mine, and I get really sick and tired of being corrected for it. It doesn't happen nearly ever since I've moved to NC, but people were so damn particular in Florida.


If someone's correcting you for saying "Merry Christmas," then they are a moron. I, myself, have never ever had anyone tell me that I'm wrong for saying that. And I honestly can't believe it happens all that much...
#23 Oct 17 2007 at 9:21 AM Rating: Good
Belkira the Tulip wrote:
Blacktuesday wrote:
cause they had to make it such a big @#%^ing deal.

Honestly if it had just happened, good and well. If they have to scold everyone every time hey say it, then people get uppity about it.

Its like telling a smoker every time that you see them light up that it gives them cancer....it just makes them smoke that much more and hate you more as well.


Who makes such a big deal about it? Because I've heard more people ******** and saying, "It's supposed to be 'Merry Christmas,' dammit!" than I have heard people say, "Oooh, you have to say 'Happy Holidays...'"

I don't understand why it's offensive to take other people's beliefs into account.


places where you have to say it as a greeting. which is the type of places where a lot of people work really.

and its not offensive to take others peoples beliefs into account, but its kinda like the government or business telling you what to say, and we all know how we as Americans usually feel about that. If i want to say it to accept other peoples beliefs, then ill say it (I would have too if they hadn't rammed it down my throat so much). Hell i don't even believe in christmas. (shrugs)

I'm not trying to argue its validity so much as actually tell you why people get pissed off by that issue btw.



Edited, Oct 17th 2007 1:22pm by Blacktuesday
#24 Oct 17 2007 at 9:24 AM Rating: Good
Blacktuesday wrote:
places where you have to say it as a greeting. which is the type of places where a lot of people work really.


So your work wants you to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." So...? I just don't understand why that would hurt your delicate sensibilities. My work asks me to do tons of stuff I don't want to do. But they write my paycheck, so I do it.

Blacktuesday wrote:
and its not offensive to take others peoples beliefs into account, but its kinda like the government or business telling you what to say, and we all know how we as Americans usually feel about that. If i want to say it to accept other peoples beliefs, then ill say it (I would have too if they hadn't rammed it down my throat so much). Hell i don't even believe in christmas. (shrugs)


I'm not a Christian, either. But a business telling it's employee what to do is a very VERY far cry from the government telling everyone what to say.
#25 Oct 17 2007 at 9:24 AM Rating: Default
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Belkira the Tulip wrote:
Kakusaijin wrote:
Because all through my childhood, "Merry Christmas" was perfectly acceptable, and wasn't that big of a deal.

It's just a habit of mine, and I get really sick and tired of being corrected for it. It doesn't happen nearly ever since I've moved to NC, but people were so damn particular in Florida.


If someone's correcting you for saying "Merry Christmas," then they are a moron. I, myself, have never ever had anyone tell me that I'm wrong for saying that. And I honestly can't believe it happens all that much...
You've seen how many stories like this come from Florida.

I swear to god, that state is like the jungle. Everyone is out to eatsue you for sustainmentsomething.
____________________________
Did you lose faith?
Yes, I lost faith in the powers that be.
But in doing so I came across the will to disagree.
And I gave up. Yes, I gave up, and then I gave in.
But I take responsibility for every single sin. ♪ ♫


Thank god I stopped playing MMOs.
#26 Oct 17 2007 at 9:27 AM Rating: Good
Kakusaijin wrote:
You've seen how many stories like this come from Florida.

I swear to god, that state is like the jungle. Everyone is out to eatsue you for sustainmentsomething.


I haven't, I'll have to take your word for it. I remember Wal-Mart asking their greeters to use Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, and everyone got their panties in a wad and started their "Wal-Mart is the debil" spiel, but that's about it.
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