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Homeland Security Official Accused Of Trying To Erase Racist Costume Photos

  |   April 9, 2008 01:21 PM

Read More: Homeland Security Halloween Party, Julie Myers, Julie Myers And Halloween Party, Racist Homeland Security Costume, Breaking Politics News
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Last Halloween, Julie Myers the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for Homeland Security, awarded a costume prize to a staffer who told the three-judge panel, "I'm a Jamaican detainee from [Miami detention facility] Krome. Obviously, I've escaped." According to reports, Myers and her colleagues laughed. Myers later apologized for "a few of the costumes," calling them "inappropriate and offensive." But that wasn't good enough. The New York Times reports on the congressional investigation conducted over the awarding of the prize as well as Myers' attempts to cover up evidence from the party:

The report said Ms. Myers, who was acting assistant secretary at the time, might have moved to cover up the events to avoid derailing her Senate confirmation.

The Congressional committee provided no evidence of an intentional cover-up.

Kelly A. Nantel, an agency spokeswoman, confirmed Tuesday that Ms. Myers had ordered that the photographs be deleted, but said she had done so because she belatedly realized that the costume was inappropriate and that it would be offensive if the photos were included in any agency publications.


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collapse remedy See Profile I'm a Fan of remedy

Want to see how campaigns really use the media? Watch this hour video from Brasschecktv. It sheds alot of light on just how much "spin" runs political campaigns..

"Spin" by Brian Springer
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/43.html

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:55 AM on 04/10/2008
collapse sherifffruitfly See Profile I'm a Fan of sherifffruitfly

It's just how white folks are.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:06 AM on 04/10/2008
collapse Daly See Profile I'm a Fan of Daly

too much playig the race card lately.
my nephew a black guy put on white make-up on and went to halloween partty as one of the girls from White Chicks the movie; his co-worker a white girl put on black make-up and went as Michael Jordan.

Not using the black - tar or white pasty face and not being offensive/degrading it was quite funny.

there is a white guy that impersonates obama on tv and I think he is quite funny; also like Eddie Murphy in his various race acts. Tracy Ullman does lots of skits and ethnic satire that are funny too.

Not all race jokes/skits are offensive and can be pulled of without stereotyping or rudeness.

Now the kids that did the skit in black tar face getting a lap dance that was out of bounds

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:35 AM on 04/10/2008
collapse ObamaSuperDelegate See Profile I'm a Fan of ObamaSuperDelegate

wonder how many people knew about this before she was confirmed. why do things always come out after the fact?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:16 AM on 04/10/2008
collapse vat6948 See Profile I'm a Fan of vat6948

Another glaring example of Bush's incompetence. Hiring the niece of General Myer (chairman of the joint chief's of staff), that pretty little lawyer with no background in immigration. Her Uncle , GENERAL DICK MYER must be so, so, proud, she's screwed up INS , just like DICK, screwed up Iraq.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:07 AM on 04/10/2008
collapse Neocon187 See Profile I'm a Fan of Neocon187

I believe that is shows a clear insensitivity, but I'm not surprised.
I'm not worried either, because after president Barack Obama is sworn in...well let's just say that turnaround is fair play as far as politicizing the entire government and purging the other party.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:55 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse Waitaminute See Profile I'm a Fan of Waitaminute

Racial jokes on the job, is racial discrimination. Many eeoc cases have been won because of racial jokes.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:34 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse ElPerro See Profile I'm a Fan of ElPerro

Political Correctness is a Social Disease.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:20 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse conscioushope See Profile I'm a Fan of conscioushope

El Perro~

Exactly how do you define politcal correctnes?

And, what do you mean by the phrase, "Social Disease"?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:26 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse conscioushope See Profile I'm a Fan of conscioushope

HECKAVE JOB..........

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:57 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse dadadata See Profile I'm a Fan of dadadata

... and he wins the prize.

A Bag Of Paper.

Bureaucrats LOOOVE paper. He was the envy of all the guys in he department, equipped with a Bag Of Paper acting as a Mighty and Irresistible Chick Magnet.

Probably not the most offensive thing I've ever seen, but you know, if you choose to work for the Government you agree to certain standards of conduct. She's an idiot.

We don't know who "he" was. He could be her deputy, or he could be the janitor. I'm thinking he's a Blackwater contractor.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:37 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse conscioushope See Profile I'm a Fan of conscioushope

As the person put on the "Jamaican" costume and thought up his lines to say........... How did it not even seem like that just might be offensive and/or inappropiate?? Who are these people?? Where is their sense of judgment?

And, "racism" is not realizing the above................

Homeland Security?

I'd rather be "insecure" than to have these kind or people securing the homeland. They embarrass me as a human being.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:20 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse TimN See Profile I'm a Fan of TimN

All federal employees are exposed to Equal Opportunity training. This training encompaces many issues that deal with race, sex, national origin, age etc. Whether you agree with it or not, this 'black-faced' government employee clearly created a hostile environment (read Harassment) as defined by that training. Ms. Myers failed to act decisively to handle the situation. Both she and her wayward employee should be disciplined.

It's called professionalism folks. If you don't like it, don't take the job.

http://www.eeoc.gov/

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:03 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse Hugh G. Johnson See Profile I'm a Fan of Hugh G. Johnson

I'm with most of the other commentors. What's racist about about this?

He could of been a Italian Clown or a Jewish Famer, but he chose to be a Jamacian Detainee.

Maybe because because the dudes from Jamacia don't realize you can't bring Hash in a suitcase to the states they get detained a lot? I don't know, but it seems like a inside joke, but not racist.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:59 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse conscioushope See Profile I'm a Fan of conscioushope

Hugh! Are you joking?
Surely you get it!

Yes, it IS very racist and very demeaning.

It is simply beyond me that anyone cannot see it........... I do not mean to be demeaning to your emotional intelligence. But, honestly, I do find it difficult to believe that anyone cannot see the blatant problem here.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:26 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse rixhex56 See Profile I'm a Fan of rixhex56

conscioushope,

"It is simply beyond me that anyone cannot see it..."

Well, it could be that the only way to "see it" is to be looking for it. It may or may not be there, but since you are looking to "see it", you "see it".

This is no more "racist" than when Eddie Murphy dressed up in white-face and imitated an old Jewish man in one of his movies.

Racism is largely predicated upon keeping certain members of society on the fringe. When comedy caricatures those groups, it is actually a sign that assimilation is well on its way, which necessarily begins the process of ending racism. Caricature makes fun of all sorts of sub-groups, and it is not necessarily "racism" I can't speak to the intentions of the individual who dressed up in this particular costume, but I also can't say with any certainty, and neither can you, that it was absolutely "racism".

I still think this costume was inappropriate because it belittles the serious plight of those it portrays, but there is simply no certainty to the "racist" claim.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:53 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse mawrm See Profile I'm a Fan of mawrm

Eddie Murphy ain't a federal employee. It's a serious problem when you're a federal employee and earning tax payer dollars dealing with _immigration_ issues and making a fun of a particular set of people that you and/or your organization then have to make decisions about as part of the job function.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:01 AM on 04/10/2008
collapse rixhex56 See Profile I'm a Fan of rixhex56

As I stated, it was inappropriate because it belittled the plight of these individuals, but it was not "racist". It seems you cannot discern the difference. Regardless, the difference exists.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:52 PM on 04/10/2008
collapse teembee See Profile I'm a Fan of teembee

So if the guy was just a white guy in stripes saying he had just escaped, would that be racist? And would all of you hypocrites be so upset?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:41 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse conscioushope See Profile I'm a Fan of conscioushope

TB~

Sadly, you do not even near get this.....................

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:44 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse JuniorBug See Profile I'm a Fan of JuniorBug

Are you aware of the history of blackface?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:17 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse Birdman See Profile I'm a Fan of Birdman

that is an invalid arguement and you know it.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:00 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse chandler02 See Profile I'm a Fan of chandler02

When the head of Immigration for Homeland security awards this kind of behavior, things have gone too far!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:34 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse NDUBB See Profile I'm a Fan of NDUBB

I don"t understand why some people on this blog are trying to dismiss this.
"What's racist about it?
"This happen a long time ago"
"Lighten up folks"

Look, what people do on their own time is their business. The fact of the matter is that this was DONE AT THE JOB!
A person who goes to any harassment training knows that this conduct is off limits period.
No matter how small or insignificant someone thinks the harassment is it is unwelcome conduct. Conduct deemed harassment is not limited to jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs. So¦.
Mr. Skinhead, You cannot wear your NAZI outfit to work.
Mr. Pervert, You cannot bring your playboy to work.
Mr. Pervert You cannot whistle or leer at women.
Mr. FunnyMan, You cannot make off color jokes at work.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:15 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse rixhex56 See Profile I'm a Fan of rixhex56

NDUBB,

I know of a company whose employee manual defines sexual harrassment as looking at your co-worker below the neck. Sounds reasonable, right?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:05 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse NDUBB See Profile I'm a Fan of NDUBB

I'm pretty sure it wasn't defined in that manner. The dept of labor (state or federal) does review HR policies when auditing companies.

The devil is in the details...Since you are pointing out sexual harassment. The harassment has to be unwanted and unwelcome. Lastly, the person who you are looking at has to tell you that kind of behavior is not acceptable. Repeated behavior after ignoring warnings is illegal.

Sounds like the manual you were looking at is trying to give you guidance or best practice.

That sounds reasonable right?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:31 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse rixhex56 See Profile I'm a Fan of rixhex56

NDUBB,

"pretty sure" doesn't cut it. I saw the manual. It actually defined a time limit of either 5, or 10, seconds (it was too long ago now for my failing memory), which if exceeded, provided grounds for the employee being looked at below the neck to file a complaint.

Companies can define their own codes of conduct. Often people lose their jobs because they meet someone on the job, strike a romance, fall in love, and then find out there is a "non-fraternization clause" in thier contracts, which bars them from this very behavior. The obvious reason for this, I suppose, is fear of sexual harrassment suits.

I personally know a couple who was forced, after being married, to choose between one of them resigning, or being transferred to another location, which happened to be in another city altogether. There has to be a point at which we just say, "Enough is enough, already." Inappropriate and RACIST are not one and the same, and we need to start wising up to the real difference there.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:02 PM on 04/10/2008
collapse NDUBB See Profile I'm a Fan of NDUBB

rixhex56 have you ever heard of Professionalism.

The company policy is one thing, the question asked was the definition of sexual harassment. Check the EEOC website, it specifically defines what is sexual harassment.

It's law, (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.) It's in b&w and clear cut. The law has been tried in cases, and quite frankly, there is no need for the kind of behavior in the workplace period.

If you got beef with your company policy then take it up with them. If you don't like the policy then don't accept the job... no one is forcing you. Some jobs require certain expectations and code of ethics that employees are required to follow.

If you don't like the law, lobby your local public official.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:18 PM on 04/10/2008
collapse rixhex56 See Profile I'm a Fan of rixhex56

You have not addressed my point at all. And you seem to be forgetting that this event -- you know the one where the guy dressed up in a costume -- occurred at a party.

The issue that I have raised is that what is inappropriate is not necessarily "racist". Is it possible that you might consider that point?

Racism: a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism

My question to you is this: how did this costume profess the above definition?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:44 PM on 04/10/2008
collapse NDUBB See Profile I'm a Fan of NDUBB

PART 2

You posted earlier you agreed that it was inappropriate and it belittled these individuals.
Belittle is to regard or portray as less impressive or important than appearances indicate; depreciate; disparage. So you made the case that this action was racist. The action was discriminatory; abusive, disparaging and intended to depreciate members of another race. Any reasonable person would agree that coming to work in black face in prison grabs qualifies those definitions.

You are so stuck on the racism issue that you are completely missing that it is harassment & that it creates a hostile work place. The way people have blogged about this furthers the point.

You further are incorrect to say it"s just a party. Again the laws are clear; this kind of behavior has no business in the workplace and I"m not going to tell where to go to define what harassment is. I"ve already done that quite a bit.

You can have the last word if you like but this little exercise furthers my belief in what I wrote is true and I"m sure people reading this will agree with me rather than you.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:43 AM on 04/11/2008
collapse NDUBB See Profile I'm a Fan of NDUBB

PART 1
Rihex56,
My apologies for not giving your post full consideration.
To your point of racism, a large number of bloggers throw out the term all the time w/o really explaining themselves. Why they do it, I don't know.
To answer your question specifically, the term racism is a noun. The article says racist which is an adjective. And you left some terms regarding racism from your above post so for the sake of space, I"ll won"t include what you have above.

A policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
Hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Discrimination or prejudice based on race.
The prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races
Discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race.

The term - Racist-adjective- based on racial intolerance; "racist remarks"; discriminatory especially on the basis of race or religion

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:43 AM on 04/11/2008
collapse NDUBB See Profile I'm a Fan of NDUBB

Sigh.....

I 've answered your question. I've seen what you've been writing and posting to others. You did not ask me those questions. Are you asking me those now?...

here is what you've posted to me.

NDUBB,

I know of a company whose employee manual defines sexual harassment as looking at your co-worker below the neck. Sounds reasonable, right?

I don't see racism the question there? Do you? If you want my input on your racism issue, I will be more than happy to comment because it's used very loosely here... as for as the sexual harassment goes, I'm moving on, the definition is on eeoc.org

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:53 AM on 04/11/2008
collapse conscioushope See Profile I'm a Fan of conscioushope

Thank you so much for the simple, yet necessary, elemental lesson.

Now, if those who did not get it, still don't, then let's move on without them.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:47 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse josephjsalas See Profile I'm a Fan of josephjsalas

Just what "homeland" do they secure? Heck! They don't even use license plates!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:09 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse JohnKemp See Profile I'm a Fan of JohnKemp

WOW! This kind of pales when compared to the antics of Obumba's beloved high priest.

One would think that the HuffPo would not want to "play the race card" just now; as much as they love & worship Obumba.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:01 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse 99hockeyman See Profile I'm a Fan of 99hockeyman

You have to consider the source. He says that he listens to Rush every day for the last 20 years. Jesse Helms supporters do not fall far from the tree.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:36 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse conscioushope See Profile I'm a Fan of conscioushope

JK~

Kindly read the post from NDUBB above. He will explain.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:49 PM on 04/09/2008
collapse cheesegypsy See Profile I'm a Fan of cheesegypsy

Oh, that's just hilarious!

" . . . she belatedly realized that the costume was inappropriate and that it would be offensive . . . "

Hmm, a priveleged white male pretending to be a black Jamaican prison inmate, complete with dreadlocks. How many shots of rum did she down before such antics seemed not only okay, but worthy of a prize? I'm sure it seemed really funny to any black employees who might have been at the party!

Let me guess, the runner up was dressed as an inmate at Guantanamo?

Let us not forget the McCain called the Vietnamese, "Gooks," and that many "distinguished" congressman were against the Civil Rights Act back in the day. There is plenty of racism to go around in Washington, but they wear expensive suits instead of white robes now.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:32 PM on 04/09/2008