Thread: "Gringo Mask" pulled from site.

'Gringo Mask' stirs racial controversy

Reported by: Marci Gonzalez
Email: mgonzalez@wptv.com
Photographer: Andy Grosek
Last Update: 9:08 am

WEST PALM BEACH, FL -- It's called the "Gringo Mask" and its creator says its blonde hair and light skin, "Communicates that looking this way will keep you above suspicion of being an illegal immigrant in Arizona."

The paper masks were free to download on www.gringomask.com.

The creators at Miami-based Zubi Advertising say they created the male and female masks as "A comical tool to convey a message and raise awareness about an issue that is important to all Americans."

They say they are poking fun at the idea that everyone should look the same but some say, it is racist and sends a message that people who are not white should be ashamed.

Carol Gordon says, "They shouldn't have to pretend that they're white if they're not. They should just be comfortable with who they are and where they come from."

While the creators say the anger it has caused was not intended, the immigration dialogue it's created certainly was.

Tuesday, Zubi Advertising pulled the masks from the website www.gringomask.com and it its place posted this statement:

"Thanks to your involvement, the Gringo Mask has achieved its primary objective to raise awareness of the potential for racial profiling by enforcement of Arizona SB 1070. Gringo Mask was not a commercial product or intended to be a long term project, but a piece of satire to promote discussion and thought.

In addition to raising awareness, the mask was used to promote dialogue between people of different opinions in the hopes of arriving at better solutions than SB 1070, and to show solidarity with Americans of every race and color across the country that found this law unfair in its targeting of a specific ethnic group even if only implicitly. We chose this mask because of its light-hearted nature and tongue-in-cheek approach much in the same vein as Jeff Foxworthy's shtick "You Might be a Redneck" or Carlos Mencia's "beaner" jokes. However, we in no way meant to offend anyone.

We understand from your responses that some people might equate the word "Gringo" with an ethnic slur. We do not. It is simply a slang term used to describe Caucasians, and we don't assign any negative connotations to it. In fact, the mask communicates that looking this way will keep you above suspicion of being an illegal immigrant in Arizona, a positive thing not a derogatory one. We hope everyone will view the mask the way we do...a comical tool to convey a message and raise awareness about an issue that is important to all Americans. If the campaign has been taken in a different light by some, we sincerely regret the misunderstanding.

Thanks for voicing your opinions and helping to get the dialogue going. We look forward to a better solution to the illegal immigration problem. "

http://www.wptv.com/content/news/topsto ... Bh51g.cspx

Kids are always getting asked for their papers too. I think law enforcement also age profiles too...

/sarcasm off

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

'Gringo Mask' stirs racial controversy

Reported by: Marci Gonzalez
Email: mgonzalez@wptv.com
Photographer: Andy Grosek
Last Update: 9:08 am

WEST PALM BEACH, FL -- It's called the "Gringo Mask" and its creator says its blonde hair and light skin, "Communicates that looking this way will keep you above suspicion of being an illegal immigrant in Arizona."

The paper masks were free to download on www.gringomask.com.

The creators at Miami-based Zubi Advertising say they created the male and female masks as "A comical tool to convey a message and raise awareness about an issue that is important to all Americans."

They say they are poking fun at the idea that everyone should look the same but some say, it is racist and sends a message that people who are not white should be ashamed.

Carol Gordon says, "They shouldn't have to pretend that they're white if they're not. They should just be comfortable with who they are and where they come from."

While the creators say the anger it has caused was not intended, the immigration dialogue it's created certainly was.

Tuesday, Zubi Advertising pulled the masks from the website www.gringomask.com and it its place posted this statement:

"Thanks to your involvement, the Gringo Mask has achieved its primary objective to raise awareness of the potential for racial profiling by enforcement of Arizona SB 1070. Gringo Mask was not a commercial product or intended to be a long term project, but a piece of satire to promote discussion and thought.

In addition to raising awareness, the mask was used to promote dialogue between people of different opinions in the hopes of arriving at better solutions than SB 1070, and to show solidarity with Americans of every race and color across the country that found this law unfair in its targeting of a specific ethnic group even if only implicitly. We chose this mask because of its light-hearted nature and tongue-in-cheek approach much in the same vein as Jeff Foxworthy's shtick "You Might be a Redneck" or Carlos Mencia's "R*****R" jokes. However, we in no way meant to offend anyone.

We understand from your responses that some people might equate the word "Gringo" with an ethnic slur. We do not. It is simply a slang term used to describe Caucasians, and we don't assign any negative connotations to it. In fact, the mask communicates that looking this way will keep you above suspicion of being an illegal immigrant in Arizona, a positive thing not a derogatory one. We hope everyone will view the mask the way we do...a comical tool to convey a message and raise awareness about an issue that is important to all Americans. If the campaign has been taken in a different light by some, we sincerely regret the misunderstanding.

Thanks for voicing your opinions and helping to get the dialogue going. We look forward to a better solution to the illegal immigration problem. "

http://www.wptv.com/content/news/topsto ... Bh51g.cspx

Oh really. What if caucasian people say that calling someone a WBack is not a racial slur....it is simply a slang term.

And that begs the question...why are wetback, **** or ****** edited when gringo is not. That is how pervasive the racial discrimination is...that even in the ALIPAC discussion room gringo is allowed. But racial slurs against non whites are edited.

William?

Oh I see wetback is no longer edited....as it is only slang and not a racial slur. Great, one down and several to go. They should all be allowed or none should be allowed.

Originally Posted by redpony353

And that begs the question...why are wetback, RR****RR or RR******RR edited when gringo is not. That is how pervasive the racial discrimination is...that even in the ALIPAC discussion room gringo is allowed. But racial slurs against non whites are edited.

William?

ALIPAC didn't edit that. That is the way it appeared on the original site.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

Originally Posted by redpony353

And that begs the question...why are wetback, RR****RR or RR******RR edited when gringo is not. That is how pervasive the racial discrimination is...that even in the ALIPAC discussion room gringo is allowed. But racial slurs against non whites are edited.

William?

ALIPAC didn't edit that. That is the way it appeared on the original site.

Yes they did. That is not a cut and paste from the site. The quote is my post written by me. Of course I know that ALIPAC edits these because they are considered racial slurs by hispanics. BUT if gringo is only slang, then so are the terms wetback, ******, **** and so on. They are only slang. They cant have it both ways.

i read their message .... it makes me sick ....

GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

I think I'll give away Pancho Villa masks, you know, just to draw attention to the guy that rearended the congressman. No offense.

Originally Posted by ReggieMay

I think I'll give away Pancho Villa masks, you know, just to draw attention to the guy that rearended the congressman. No offense.

Why should anyone be offended? Maybe Hispanics will perceive it as a racial slur, BUT WE DO NOT INTEND IT AS A SLUR. Since we do not intend it that way, regardless of how it is perceived, then it is ok.