OT: Would a white guy wearing a dreadlock wig be offensive?

Submitted by WichitanWolverine on

Long story short: I recently bought a 16 jersey and wanted to do my best Denard impersonation by wearing a dreadlock wig to the game Saturday.  I think most of the fans would get a kick out of it, but would any of you find this offensive if you saw it?  I want to ask the general population before doing it.  Like I said, I'm white.

EDIT: Ok, for everyone advising me not to wear blackface makeup, I appreciate the input, but no shit...

Rico616

September 23rd, 2010 at 10:09 AM ^

I agree. Its not bein overly sensitive but it is somewhat offensive. Not as offensive as college campus parties where people paint their faces black, fry chicken, and tape 40s to their hands...now thats offensive and worthy of an ass kicking. I doubt anyone will kick your ass over a dreadlock wig though, but you might look stupid.

BiSB

September 23rd, 2010 at 10:42 AM ^

Edward Fortyhands is a classic drinking game.  Some people I know (not me, of course...) played it quite often.  It has no overt racial component by itself, and is only offensive when done by people in black-face or some other attempt to bring race into the picture. 

gbdub

September 23rd, 2010 at 10:13 AM ^

There's a bit of a difference between a guy wearing a dreadlock wig and a Michigan jersey in support of Denard and a 1900s era minstrel show. If you can't see that difference, then you are making a concious decision to be offended and hyper-sensitive, and I guess that's your right. But I find that conflating the OP with a minstrel showman dancing around in blackface is more than a little insulting to the people who had to suffer through that era.

BleedingBlue

September 23rd, 2010 at 9:04 AM ^

Ask yourself this:  Let's say hypothetically, Tate was having the same crazy year Denard is.  Now lets say Tate's hair is super long, or he has a crazy Goatee or something....would you wear a wig or a glue-on goatee in that case?

Flying Dutchman

September 23rd, 2010 at 9:07 AM ^

I will find it offensive if you are sitting exactly 1 row, directly in front of me, and you are taller than 5'8".   Other than that, you're good in my book.     I'll stick with my blue dri-fit hat with a maize block M.

JBE

September 23rd, 2010 at 9:14 AM ^

An excerpt from Wikipedia states:
<br>
<br> "Locks can be an expression of deep religious or spiritual convictions, a manifestation of ethnic pride, a political statement, or be simply a fashion preference."
<br>
<br>The fashion preference people will have no issue, it's the spiritual and ethnic faction that could be worrisome. No one enjoys their religious or ethnic values mocked for entertainment value, or otherwise. But, hey, it isn't like you're blazing up a Holy book.

Mitch Cumstein

September 23rd, 2010 at 9:24 AM ^

I don't see a problem with it, look at the banner, its kind of become a team symbol.  Also, I knew a few white dudes (the hippy type) with dreads back in the day.  I say go for it, its all in fun.  You'll probably offend at least one person, but it definitely won't be the first time they've been offended by something stupid.