(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/2/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned “blackface” costumers reportedly worn by teenagers in Utah and called for increased anti-racism education in that state’s schools.
Law enforcement authorities in Cedar City, Utah, are seeking to identify three teens involved in a verbal confrontation on Halloween while wearing blackface and striped prison inmate costumes and another in a police officer costume. Video of the confrontation went viral on social media. They were confronted about the racist nature of the costume.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox responded to the video, saying: “We strongly condemn racism in all its forms and we call on every Utahn to reject such offensive stereotypes, slurs and attitudes.”
SEE: Cedar City police investigate teens filmed wearing blackface in Walmart
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2022/11/01/cedar-city-police-investigate/
Utah Police Investigate Teens Caught in Blackface Halloween Costumes
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/utah-police-investigate-teens-caught-152000540.html
“We urge educational institutions in Utah and nationwide to update and implement anti-racism initiatives to help prevent these tyles of racist incidents,” said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. “Unfortunately, the racist use of ‘blackface’ caricatures has a long history in our nation, and that history should be taught to our nation’s youth.”
He said CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com