Controversial Facebook picture appears on fliers in SUB
News Monday, February 8th, 2010
MITCH ESPLIN/THE ARBITER - Black Student Alliance President David Andrews reacts to racist fliers that appeared Thursday in the SUB.
A controversial picture is on the Facebook page of Cultural Center coordinator Ro Parker. The illustration depicts two black women, one of whom is pointing a finger in the face of a white man. He is holding his hands up in a position of semi-surrender.
The caption reads “Shut the f*** up, Whiteboy.”
The picture is printed on fliers that appeared under the doors of many faculty members and staff at the Student Union Building early Thursday.
A person of interest who allegedly printed the fliers was questioned Friday by Boise Police. No charges are pending at this time.
Parker said she is willing to talk about why the picture is on her Facebook page.
“I am more than willing to talk about this,” Parker said. “This is a picture sent by a friend who asked if this was appropriate.”
Parker said she didn’t know how to answer.
“If I say no, I will be labeled a racist,” she said. “If I say yes, it can be taken out of context.”
In spite of the controversy, the illustration will remain on Facebook.
“My reaction to this is what it says about our campus,” she said. “A group or individual felt they had to make fliers and slide it under the door. We need to be more open and talk about issues like this.”
Less than eight weeks ago, the Hands Across Campus Rally united more than 200 people in a joint cause against racism and homophobia. The coalition of students, faculty and staff responded quickly to a series of racist fliers found on campus.
“Racial hate reared its ugly head again this morning at Boise State. I will not stand for this!” said ASBSU Sen. Chase Johnson. “This will not be tolerated!”
Johnson addressed students and faculty stating history should serve as a guideline in determining future actions.
“Why study Hitler, race riots, and genocide?” he said. “This should teach us what not to do. It’s upsetting that it’s 2010 and we still have to deal with this.”
“We are all human, we are all diverse,” Johnson said. “When it happens again, what are we going to do about it?”
One student disagrees with Johnson and proposes the illustration be removed from Parker’s Facebook page.
“Seeing the picture on her page angers me,” said Greg Curtiss, a freshman communication major from Columbus, Ga. “It promotes violence and racism within all races, not just black and white. As director, she should know this.”
Curtiss said his grandfather witnessed one of the last black lynchings in Alabama in the 1930s.
“Besides hearing his stories, I observed first hand how racism affects people and whole families,” he said. “A picture like this would cause major riots, protests, marches, and violence at a southern university. It’s just asking for trouble to have that on a Facebook page.”
He says it portrays a dual image of Parker.
“When she’s at work she promotes social justice and racial equality,” Curtiss said. “She is a leader of a campus that is supposed to support that. Obviously, on her off-time, she feels differently.”
Short URL: http://arbiteronline.com/?p=39309
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Pics or it didn't happen
“This is a picture sent by a friend who asked if this was appropriate.”
Parker said she didn’t know how to answer.
“If I say no, I will be labeled a racist,” she said. “If I say yes, it can be taken out of context.”
I'm calling BS on this one. If a student asks "Is this appropriate?", you don't care if they'll think you're racist : You tell them NO and explain that racism isn't just a white-to-black thing. You tell them that racism effects any person who is being put down or hurt based on a race they have no control over.
By being dumb enough to have a picture like that on your facebook, you have guarunteed being taken out of context.
I want to correct my quote. I said that a FRIEND sent this to me on my personal Facebook and asked if I thought it was appropriate but to answer yes or no and leave it at that is a loaded question because if I say no it is not appropriate, I choose to ignore the tool that this picture is in discussing issues of racism. One issue being the anger that leads to empowerment in the identity development of non-dominant groups. If I say yes it is appropriate, then I risk the chance of being labeled, as this flier intended as some kind of "reverse racist". What I spoke to in the ASBSU senate was about how this picture can be used as a tool for opening discussion around many issues, including racism, sexism, racist work policies and identity development just to name a few. To take off the picture now would be the same as passing out anonymous fliers after hours and choosing not to have an open dialogue about these issues. I understand that the comments in this forum may reflect that lack of understanding that we have around how to talk about issues of racism, but I feel it is important to begin to gain proficiency in that. Many individuals without the understanding of how to have these types of discussions openly and with respect to the process may make some quick judgments based on their own experience and perspective and without understanding the validity in the process and I will understand why they may react the way they do. If individuals are not experienced with the tools and processes of this kind of education and awareness raising then of course conclusions that reflect that will be made. I see this discussion as a process for understanding and I welcome it. Maybe the things said in here will seem hurtful and disrespectful, but its part of that same process of letting the murky water run out of a faucet that has been turned off for a long time before it gets clear.
I can't for the life of me see Ro Alvarado Parker or this university wanting to take the Ro Alvarado Parker-how-can-we-see-this-as-an-opportunity-for-dialogue approach if the roles were reversed and a person of the "dominant culture" were in Ro Alvarado Parker's position. This stinks, racism is racism, there is no such thing as reverse racism. To suggest that racism is only practiced by the "dominant culture" is ridiculous, how is it that Ro Alvarado Parker's diversity tools and dialogue talk only seek to show how racist "dominant culture" students are? How about taking a page out of your own play book Ro and Fight Racism by being honest with yourself first (http://arbiteronline.com/2006/01/19/fight-racism-… . All your talk of diversity tools and dialogue seem to ring hollow.
Sadly, this seems to be a common reaction to having a "diversity" clique- some people will create their own, opposite, clique. The problem is that they recruit, and there aren't as abrasive as our lovely cultural center.
"To take off the picture now would be the same as passing out anonymous fliers after hours"
This makes no sense. Admit that it wasn't the best idea and delete the pic, a lot easier than trying to justify it.
Ro Parkers "rebuttle" here implies that the people who are offended by her picture are ignorant and basically redneck idiots. She says that "people may not be familiar with this type of tool." Obviously SHE is not familiar with the PROPER USE of this tool. If you hve something like this on a public social networking site and you are the Director of a Center that was setup to educate individuals about hateful and negative points of view and to provide a safe place for people to go to escape that same ignorant and out of date attitude, than you should probably pull your head out of your ass and at least have some kind of description and/or statement posted with a picture such as this.
It is inappropriate for Ro Parker to have this picture up and she is obviously not qualiied to be the Director of the Cultural Center if she talks about other peoples ignorance but she doesn't have the common sense to provide an explanation along with a picture like this.
I was shown one of the fliers the day it was distributed and I was completely offended, but at that point it was believed that someone had forged Ro Parkers Facebook page and "photoshopped" the flier together. Now that I know the real truth, I support Ro Parkers resignation or her dismissal.
Before people jump to conclusions I urge them to dig a little deeper on this issue, and have the audacity to fully analyze the implications of this picture. Of course if one is to act on the subject matter of the picture immediately the reaction will be negative; however, if one considered the context as articulated by Ro, I think it gets to the heart of the issue. I am of the opinion that we need subject materiel like that to keep these issues on the forefront of our consciousness. If we are not exposed to this subject, we will never learn about the proper reactions to it. I am speaking like a true history major, but history is humanity's ultimate lecture hall. Let the mistakes and successes of forefathers be a perpetual voice of consciousness in determining our reactions.
The difference lies in the approach. Ro did a fantastic job of explaining her intentions, in public forum. The people who made the fliers do so behind closed doors. They operate on the internet and after hours. Ro addressed her point of view, now I want to see them behind the same podium explaining their motivations. However they will be too cowardly to do so, but the invitation remains open. Send me an e-mail chasejohnson2@boisestate.edu and I'll let you know when we meet.
- Chase
OK, so … if a friend "sent" the picture to Ro, how did it end up on her profile? Who cares where it came from — she made the decision to POST IT PUBLICLY! It's obviously racist, and Ro Parker cannot even feign a defense. Why is this woman employed as the director of the "cultural center"?
I have to agree with Mark…how stupid do you have to be to post a picture like that as your PROFILE PICTURE when you are the director of the cultural center??? I really think the status of Ro's employment needs to be brought into question. Ro, stop trying to dig yourself out of a hole and admit that you blew it!!
everybody please go on your facebook and find ro parkers account and report her so she gets kicked off facebook!! tell all your friends to do it to!
That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. There are far worse things on Facebook than that picture. Let's see your Facebook page… I'm pretty willing to bet there are either white supremacy propaganda, sexist pictures/groups, anti-LGBT pictures/groups, or other gems that I would personally want to "report" you for…
Not only does Ro Alvarado Parker’s own Myspace page share her disdain for religion by providing this gem… "Religion must die, so that humanity can live"~Religulous…she has also created or has contributed to the creation of the Boise Idaho Brown Beret Myspace page. The only diversity on this site comes in the form of racist, brown power, reconquista, Marxist, communist, socialist etc… sentiments, viewpoints, ideals, etc…
To be fair To Ro Alvarado Parker, these sites do not make her un-American as any one is free to promote anti-American or racist viewpoints which are heavily touted on these sites. What is totally and completely bat poop crazy is the fact that it is blatantly hypocritical for Ro Alvarado Parker to maintain that she is pro diversity and pro “dialogue.” It is equally bat poop silly to see this stuff on these sites and realize that Ro Alvarado Parker not only still has a position at this University but is being defended by this University.
So a license plate that says 1A N666R is racist–enough so that it gets pulled after Ro's fit–but the pic on her profile–ON HER FACEBOOK PROFILE–is not.
Ro, will you please explain the difference between the two. No seriously, I eagerly await how you justify your tantrum in The Arbiter a couple of years ago compared with your posting this picture on your Facebook profile.
And perhaps some clarification can be made–was the picture on her Facebook profile, the Culture Center's profile, or what? And can someone please provide a picture of this? Did anyone manage to get a screen capture or a scan of the flier? The Arbiter staff seems to be handling this kiddie gloves, as though they don't want to offend the Cult Center Axis.
And Chase, whether Ro explained her position over a podium while those bringing her racist actions to light did it covertly, it doesn't change the facts of the situation. Ro Parker has unapologetically posted a racist picture. Period.
Let me repeat myself in case you were just skimming: Ro Parker has unapologetically posted a racist picture.
Then again, Ro is the same person who looked the other way when two members of the Cultural Center posted their "crunchy n*****s" picture a couple of years back. The charge of racism is nothing but a political tool to Ro and company. They wield it to control dialogue and debate according to their agenda. With this picture, as well as the one mentioned just above, and the asinine article on the license plate, Ro Parker has not footing in my view that gives her an ounce of credibility.
So what kind of dialogue are you trying to start with this pic, Ro? Can you please elaborate on that? Is the dialogue meant to give an example of how racism isn't a White Concept, but a Human concept practiced by people of every color, type, and fashion? Or is it meant only to give the White Guys of this world the finger?
Not only does Ro Alvarado Parker’s own Myspace page share her disdain for religion by providing this gem… "Religion must die, so that humanity can live"~Religulous…she has also created or has contributed to the creation of the Boise Idaho Brown Beret Myspace page and the fore mentioned Cultural Center Myspace page. The only diversity on these sites is the diversity that portray racist, brown power, reconquista, Marxist, communist, socialist etc.. sentiments, viewpoints, ideals, etc…
To be fair To Ro Alvarado Parker, these sites do not make her un-American as any one is free to be promote anti-American viewpoints which are heavily touted on these sites. What is totally and completely bat poop crazy is the fact that it is blatantly hypocritical for Ro Alvarado Parker to maintain that she is pro diversity and “dialogue.” It is equally bat poop silly to see this stuff on these sites and realize that Ro Alvarado Parker not only still has a position at this University but is being defended.
Not only does Ro Alvarado Parker’s own Myspace page share her disdain for religion by providing this gem. "Religion must die, so that humanity can live"~Religulous. She has also created or has contributed to the creation of the Boise Idaho Brown Beret Myspace site. The only diversity on this site comes in the form of racist, brown power, reconquista, Marxist, communist, socialists. To be fair To Ro Alvarado Parker, this site does not make her un-American as any one is free to promote anti-American or racist viewpoints which are heavily touted on these sites. What is totally and completely bat poop crazy is the fact that it is blatantly hypocritical for Ro Alvarado Parker to maintain that she is pro diversity and pro dialogue. It is equally bat poop silly to see this stuff on these sites and realize that Ro Alvarado Parker not only still has a position at this University but is being defended by this University.
Not only does Ro Alvarado Parker’s own Myspace page share her disdain for religion by providing this gem… "Religion must die, so that humanity can live"~Religulous…she has also created or has contributed to the creation of the Boise Idaho Brown Beret Myspace page. The only diversity on that site comes in the form of racist, brown power, reconquista, Marxist, communist, socialist etc… sentiments, viewpoints, ideals, etc…
To be fair To Ro Alvarado Parker, these sites do not make her un-American as any one is free to be promote anti-American viewpoints which are heavily touted on these sites. What is totally and completely bat poop crazy is the fact that it is blatantly hypocritical for Ro Alvarado Parker to maintain that she is pro diversity and “dialogue.” It is equally bat poop silly to see this stuff on these sites and realize that Ro Alvarado Parker not only still has a position at this University but is being defended.
Not only does Ro Alvarado Parker’s own Myspace page share her disdain for religion by providing this gem- "Religion must die, so that humanity can live"~Religulous. She has also created or has contributed to the creation of the Boise Idaho Brown Beret Myspace page . The only diversity on this site is the diversity that portray racist, brown power, reconquista, Marxist, communist, socialist etc.. sentiments, viewpoints, ideals, etc.
To be fair To Ro Alvarado Parker, these sites do not make her un-American as any one is free to be promote anti-American viewpoints which are heavily touted on these sites. What is totally and completely bat poop crazy is the fact that it is blatantly hypocritical for Ro Alvarado Parker to maintain that she is pro diversity and “dialogue.” It is equally bat poop silly to see this stuff on these sites and realize that Ro Alvarado Parker not only still has a position at this University but is being defended.
Not only does Ro Alvarado Parker’s own Myspace page share her disdain for religion by providing this gem- "Religion must die, so that humanity can live"~Religulous. She has also created or has contributed to the creation of the Boise Idaho Brown Beret Myspace page . The only diversity on this site is the diversity that portray racist, brown power, reconquista, Marxist, communist, socialist etc.. sentiments, viewpoints, ideals, etc.
To be fair To Ro Alvarado Parker, these sites do not make her un-American as any one is free to be promote anti-American viewpoints which are heavily touted on these sites. What is totally and completely bat poop crazy is the fact that it is blatantly hypocritical for Ro Alvarado Parker to maintain that she is pro diversity and “dialogue.” It is equally bat poop silly to see this stuff on these sites and realize that Ro Alvarado Parker not only still has a position at this University but is being defended.
Not only does Ro Alvarado Parker’s own Myspace page share her disdain for religion by providing this gem… "Religion must die, so that humanity can live"~Religulous…she has also created or has contributed to the creation of the Boise Idaho Brown Beret Myspace page. The only diversity on this site comes in the form of racist, brown power, reconquista, Marxist, communist, socialist etc… sentiments, viewpoints, ideals, etc…To be fair To Ro Alvarado Parker, these sites do not make her un-American as any one is free to promote anti-American or racist viewpoints which are heavily touted on these sites. What is totally and completely bat poop crazy is the fact that it is blatantly hypocritical for Ro Alvarado Parker to maintain that she is pro diversity and pro “dialogue.” It is equally bat poop silly to see this stuff on these sites and realize that Ro Alvarado Parker not only still has a position at this University but is being defended by this University.
Not only does Ro Alvarado Parker’s own Myspace page share her disdain for religion by providing this gem. "Religion must die, so that humanity can live"-Religulous.
She has also created or has contributed to the creation of the Boise Idaho Brown Beret Myspace site.
Check out all the "diversity" there.
The only diversity on this site icomes in the form of racist, brown power, reconquista, Marxist, communist, socialist etc.. sentiments, viewpoints, ideals, etc.
She has also created or has contributed to the creation of the Boise Idaho Brown Beret Myspace page . The only diversity on this site comes in the form of racist, brown power, reconquista, Marxist, communist, socialist etc.. sentiments, viewpoints, ideals, etc.
The only diversity on this site comes in the form of racist, brown power, reconquista, Marxist, communist, socialists.
The only diversity on this site is the diversity that portray racist, brown power, reconquista, Marxist, communist, socialist etc.. sentiments, viewpoints, ideals, etc.
To be fair To Ro Alvarado Parker, this site does not make her un-American as any one is free to promote anti-American or racist viewpoints which are heavily touted on these sites. What is totally and completely bat poop crazy is the fact that it is blatantly hypocritical for Ro Alvarado Parker to maintain that she is pro diversity and pro dialogue. It is equally bat poop silly to see this stuff on these sites and realize that Ro Alvarado Parker not only still has a position at this University but is being defended by this University.
The only diversity on this site is the diversity that portray racist, brown power, reconquista, Marxist, communist, socialist etc.. sentiments, viewpoints, ideals, etc.
To be fair To Ro Alvarado Parker, this site does not make her un-American as any one is free to promote anti-American or racist viewpoints which are heavily touted on these sites.
What is totally and completely bat poop crazy is the fact that it is blatantly hypocritical for Ro Alvarado Parker to maintain that she is pro diversity and pro dialogue. It is equally bat poop silly to see this stuff on these sites and realize that Ro Alvarado Parker not only still has a position at this University but is being defended by this University.
So Chase…and Ro, the Arbiter, and Bob Kustra-
I implore you to “have the audacity to fully analyze the implications of (not only) this picture,” but the inconstancies, hypocrisies, religious bigotry, and the Attitudes of hate as displayed on Myspace and explain how its all just ‘tools’ “for opening discussion around many issues, including racism, sexism, racist work policies” and isn’t in itself blatant racism.
I can't believe that Ro, in the article or on her Facebook page hasn't sad sorry and that she made a mistake by posting that picture on her Facebook, it seems to me and everyone ive spoken with that she truly isn't sorry about having the picture up, just sorry she got caught this is why she keeps making excuse after excuse for why its there. and now she blocked her Facebook, if that doesn't scream guilty I don't know what does haha
Let me post!
She has also created or has contributed to the creation of the Boise Idaho Brown Beret Myspace site. The only diversity on this site comes in the form of racist, brown power, reconquista, Marxist, communist, socialists.
http://www.myspace.com/boiseberets
http://www.myspace.com/roshambo187
http://www.myspace.com/mecha_bsu
http://www.myspace.com/culturalcenter
Have a look.
Chase…and Ro, the Arbiter, and Bob Kustra-
I implore you to “have the audacity to fully analyze the implications of (not only) this picture,” but the inconstancies, hypocrisies, religious bigotry, and the Attitudes of hate as displayed on Ro's Myspace pages and explain how its all just ‘tools’ “for opening discussion around many issues, including racism, sexism, racist work policies” and isn’t in itself blatant racism.
It is really disappointing to see some of the above comments. I value the virtue of proactive rather then reactive responses and its a shame to see such negative reactions twords another proactive individual.
All i can think of is how media portrays certain topics and lets people build fires around mis information. This picture was one of four pictures from the same site where it came from. Why dosent anyone get just as offended at the picture of the Prophet Muhhamad dipicted as a bomb as a head. Its so unfortunate that when a privalged group in a society feels as uncomfortable as any minorty does in everyday life that thoose privlaged people gang up and attack an individual.
I challenge us to examine our lifestyles…. how does it effect the globe, what are we as individuals willing to give up to live sustainable? Do we deserve so much luxuries that contributes nothing to our happiness when other countries don't have clean water or enough food even when they our our own brothers and sisters in America. Why do we not care just as much about child soldiers, genocides, or mass killings of innocent civilians in our war on terror.
I say Thank you Ro Parker for raising awareness for something that is uncomfortable and makes me think how it could feel to be a minority in this society and realizing how hurtful false media can be.
Did Ro Parker have all four images as her profile pic?
That should answer your question.
Nice to see Ro Parker's spin-echo-chamber in action. Myself and many others do not buy into the crock of an excuse that she gave for having that image posted.
Russ James, Racism is the belief that one's race is superior to others. Now, why would that be a bad thing? Lets use history as an example: Hitler blamed all of Germany's social ill's on the Jews, using them as a scapegoat. The result? 6 Million dead Jews, all in the name of the "Aryan race."
Russ, I implore you to open up some books on the subject. To get out of your comfort zone and meet others of different cultural backgrounds, and learn from them. Just because you've been taught your whole life that you should be proud of your race, doesn't mean you should. It's an unethical and immoral practice. Race does not determine who we are, it's our personalities and cultural values. I believe that Boise State has potential to be a distinctive university, but not until the students take an active role in educating themselves, and making the university a more harmonious and open environment.
2 weeks and no response from Ro.