OT: Would a white guy wearing a dreadlock wig be offensive?
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...
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:45 AM ^
Of course not.
but, are you sure you are white?
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:46 AM ^
Is this a joke?
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:48 AM ^
fa real?
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:50 AM ^
go on with your bad self...
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:54 AM ^
that would be offensive. NOW...If you grew your own locks then that would not only be acceptable but comendable. IMO
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.
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.
September 23rd, 2010 at 10:50 AM ^
Edward Forty hands is a drinking game but those campus parties where people are blantantly racist, I wish I could go Ice Cube on them from "Higher Learning".
September 23rd, 2010 at 11:18 AM ^
When done as a racial stereotype thing, it makes me want to unleash the little asian girl.
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:55 AM ^
Not at all, a guy (who was white) had a dreadlock wig at Sportsnation yesterday and everyone got a huge kick out of it.
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:58 AM ^
People got a kick out of people dancing around in black face as well but that does not make it O.K
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.
September 23rd, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^
Minstrel Shows were horrible, I cant imagine shit like that going on daily and people thinking its alright.
September 23rd, 2010 at 10:50 AM ^
What if it was weekly instead?
The Pistons handed out afro wigs during their playoff runs with Ben Wallace and I don't think anyone took that as offensive. Comparing a dreadlock wig to minstrel shows is one of the most insanely idiotic things I've ever heard.
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:58 AM ^
I'd say you're bound to offend at least one person, but it sounds like it's all in good fun.
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:59 AM ^
...dreadlock wig made from shoelaces? Would that be offensive?
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:45 AM ^
No.
Black-hole sized time waste? Yep.
Pretty damn awesome? Yep.
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:59 AM ^
It's just a hair style...it's not like you're painting yourself brown or something outrageous.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:02 AM ^
I totally agree, but it's sort of a lesser extent of that. And obviously we've got one pissed off member (see above) already opposed.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:11 AM ^
one pissed off member
There you go.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:12 AM ^
And he might just be that one crazy drunk guy in the stands who kicks me in the back of the head.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:23 AM ^
the guy who has run out of ideas. Second, all im saying is when you do stuff like (although not your intent) you may be seen as mocking something form another culture. That’s why said, if you grew your own, that is something totally different...and pretty cool.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:27 AM ^
Well Wichitan -- your hair better get growing by Saturday.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:31 AM ^
you may be seen as mocking something form another culture.
You do realize that the word "mocking" has several different definitions, not all of which are negative, right? There is also the old saying that "imitation is the best form of flattery"...
September 23rd, 2010 at 10:01 AM ^
I thought it was imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Just weight the risk vs. reward. Reward - people love it and pat you on the back, maybe get a free beer. Risk - well, that's a play it by ear one.
September 23rd, 2010 at 11:16 AM ^
without it being offensive?
September 23rd, 2010 at 12:54 PM ^
What the hell is that???
September 23rd, 2010 at 6:12 PM ^
I think it's pretty obvious that's Wesley Snipes reprising his Oscar-winning performance in Demolition Man.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:01 AM ^
its not just a hair style. I dont care what color you are, if you dont know what you are wearing you prob should not wear it.
That is all
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:04 AM ^
My face looks like your avatar right now. What do white person dreads mean other than "I don't like to wash my hair?" (Or I guess, in this case, "SHOELACE!")
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:20 AM ^
has the same feelings about mullets. It's a style and if you don't understand it*, then you can't wear a wig representing.
*Business up front, party in the back
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:55 AM ^
of cool to see a black dude with a mullet.
A little jerry curl like Jules Winnefield....
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:11 AM ^
would be in support of a great Michigan football player.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:20 AM ^
Seriously, just stop.
September 23rd, 2010 at 11:05 AM ^
THis argument is amazingly conceited. In otherwords, you have a higher level of knowledge than others, so you are enabled to do more and greater things! God forbid that he were allowed to emulate his favorite quarterback because he does not understand the nuances of culture the way that you are blessed to do!
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?
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:06 AM ^
Definitely
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:06 AM ^
Were all the rage (OK, tepid enthusiasm) during the Pistons run to the NBA World Championship a few years back.
Not approving, just sayin'
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:07 AM ^
...AND the Bulls. I had 2. Still have 1.
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.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:11 AM ^
Simpsons did it.
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.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:21 AM ^
I saw many Ben Wallace Fro's in the stands at The Palace. Never offended me. I say where them...I might go get a dread wig myself.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:36 AM ^
Improper use of the word "where".
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:23 AM ^
I am offended you had to ask this question.
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.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:25 AM ^
As I recall, the big Ben Wallace afro wigs were real popular with Pistons fans at the Palace and nobody complained. Shouldn't be a problem for you. Have fun with it!