Viral social media post apparently shows SIU student in blackface
November 10, 2016
A racially offensive photograph that appears to have originated from the social media account of an SIU student went viral on Thursday.
The picture shows a man and woman standing in front of a Confederate flag in what appears to be blackface makeup. It circulated widely on both Facebook and Twitter after a columnist from the New York Daily News shared the image on Twitter.
As of Thursday evening, the image had been shared more than 11,000 times and liked 8,000 times on Twitter.
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Miranda Fair, one of those apparently shown in the photograph, is a sophomore in the university’s hospitality and tourism program. The man, identified through social media as Joseph Emery, is not enrolled at the university.
Fair posted a message in a private Facebook group Thursday morning, saying she wanted to “sincerely apologize if this has offended anyone.”
She said the photograph was taken out of context and the flag in the background is ripped in half because she does not support it. The mask, she explained, is a facial exfoliation mask used for skin care.
Attempts to contact Fair were not immediately returned.
The columnist who shared the photograph on Twitter, Shaun King, labeled it as a celebration of the election of Republican Donald Trump to the nation’s highest office. There is no indication that is the case.
In a statement Thursday afternoon, interim Chancellor Brad Colwell condemned the use of social media and other offensive behavior as a reaction to the presidential election. Any incidents will be taken under review and acted upon appropriately, according to the statement.
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“We value individuals, diversity and inclusion,” Colwell said. “Anything less diminishes all of us. Free speech is an important right and value that we should use wisely and respectfully.”
The Daily Egyptian’s news desk can be reached at [email protected] or 618-536-3397.
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Tara Jennings • Nov 12, 2016 at 11:07 pm
Typical behavior that we can expect from low rank students at a low rank school. The students in “black face” are not original. I guess they cannot come up with an original idea. How many stories have we read in the last six months about white students putting on black face using facial mask. They are attention seeking. They received their 3 seconds of fame in the school newspaper. Next!!!
BTW The students should focus on their academics and advocating for funding and scholarships. Most SIUC graduates come out with an enormous debt and unable to compete with other students in the labor market. Good luck haters!
M.S. • Nov 11, 2016 at 7:30 pm
At first glance this picture made me extremely upset. However, after looking into it further it seems this may have been taken out of context and posted before the election. If that’s true we should focus on the dozens (and possibly hundreds at this point) of other more blatant cases of bigotry done in the name of “Trump”.
Jahaira Rivera • Nov 11, 2016 at 2:54 pm
Last I checked social media and the Internet are both public, therefore both the “gal and guy” made it public themselves.
Mike Meehan • Nov 10, 2016 at 9:09 pm
Once again, the PC Police got there wrong gal (and guy). Even if they were racist, they are private individuals, and no one had license to make this photo public. Second — and apparently lost on the politically correct — this photo was a parody.
Get your facts straight you self-righteous morons!!!!!
Nick • Nov 11, 2016 at 2:07 am
Except genius, if you *read* that was the right girl and guy.(They quoted her “apology” lmao) Typical raging dim bulb can’t read before making comments sigh…….
velouria • Nov 11, 2016 at 9:24 pm
“no one had license to make this photo public”
She made it public.
Brenda • Nov 10, 2016 at 5:35 pm
this is absolutely uncalled for hopefully future employers see this and know who and what they are hiring. she should be expelled at the very least