Russian duo Offend aboriginals

[hakeber]

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/van...urn=oly,221290

At times, Shabalin led Domnina around by her ponytail. They mugged, stuck out their tongues and mimicked the hand over mouth gesture that was once associated with American Indians.

Oh dear.

[AdinaL]

I heard about this, but haven't looked for it to watch yet. Sounds like a bad choice, a very bad choice. I'm not sure that they understood exactly *how* bad a choice it was.

[cappuccinosmom]

I saw part of it. I was thinking "What in the world????" A lot of the skaters in that program were wearing "traditional" clothing of some sort, but I couldn't figure out two white people dressed like aboriginals (the word the announcer used at one point) and frankly they looked really...odd. I knew immediately that there was going to be some question about their intentions or their attitudes towards other races. Very poor choice on their part.

What I saw of their skating wasn't all that impressive either.

[ian'smommaya]

i wonder what they were thinking? oh wait! nevermind, they werent. how hurtful

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by AdinaL

I heard about this, but haven't looked for it to watch yet. Sounds like a bad choice, a very bad choice. I'm not sure that they understood exactly *how* bad a choice it was.

Well, since this is not the first time they wore the costume (though they changed their "skin" from dark to lighter this time) they knew full well they would be offending people. They don't feel it is offensive and therefore refused to change it.

Since there is an "interpretive" score that is supposed to take into account the research/accuracy of the dance I wish they would get graded way, way, way down on that.

[JessicaS]

Originally Posted by TiredX2

Since there is an "interpretive" score that is supposed to take into account the research/accuracy of the dance I wish they would get graded way, way, way down on that.

I agree.

[AdinaL]

Ahhh, see this is a pertinent piece of info I did not know.

Then yeah, no excuse. I could understand a bit if they had never done this piece before, and were from a country other than somewhere in North America, they just might be clueless. But that sounds like they are just blatantly being offensive....not cool.

[MrsMike]

They were practically in blackface.

[willowsmom]

It was really uncomfortable to watch. It sparked a great conversation with my 6 year old about racism, but I don't feel they should have done it. Especially with a half-arsed knowledge of the culture...and with so many people saying "Hey, don't do this."

[hakeber]

And without a trace of irony my husband says "That is soooo like the Russians."