Posted May 2, 2008 – At North Dakota State
University , where about 1 percent of the student body
is African American, officials are pondering the proper
response for a campus group that performed a
blackface skit of Barack Obama getting a lap dance.
"We're trying to find out the right approaches for
accountability, but at the same time try to heal wounds
that have occurred and allow the campus to move
ahead," Janna Stoskopf, the student dean told The
Associated Press.
During the March 18 skit by the university’s Saddle
and Sirloin Club at the Mr. NDSU Pageant, a
contestant, dressed as the Obama Girl Internet
celebrity performed a striptease for another student
with his face blackened and donning an afro wig. In
the background, AP reports, two other male students
simulated anal sex while holding an Obama sign,
which a student tore up at the end of the skit.
"The students involved have accepted responsibility
for their actions and expressed deep remorse,"
University President Joseph Chapman said in a
statement. "NDSU does not and will not ignore acts of
intolerance at our institution or in our community."
Obama is scheduled to speak at North Dakota
Democrats' state convention in Grand Forks next
week. His campaign had no comment.
"Honestly, I still don't know what the intention of the
skit was," said student body President Josh
Reimnitz,. "It was very silent, and there were some
boos. People were looking at each other, not knowing
how to act."
