Friday, a minor league baseball team in Utah canceled its “Caucasian Heritage Night” after the event sparked outrage on social media.
The gathering had been advertised with “Irish, Italian, Scandinavian, German…. or even Utahn! Whatever your background, celebrate it at the Home of the Owlz!” But after the backlash, the team issued an apology and canceled the event.
Minor League Baseball, and the Orem Owlz, is about baseball, togetherness and family fun for all fans of all races, religions, and orientations. Our goal in this promotion, like any of our promotions, is to have fun and make fun of everyday normalcies. Our night was to include wonder bread on burgers with mayonnaise, clips from shows like Friends and Seinfeld and trying to solve the vertical leaping challenge. We understand, in light of recent tragic events, that our intentions have been misconstrued. For that, we sincerely apologize.
Many pointed holding out that holding such an event would have been particularly insensitive after this week’s racist killings of nine African-Americans in Charleston by a white gunman.
While the Charleston victims families were offering prayers & forgiveness the Orem Owlz were busy planning "Caucasian Heritage Night" #shame
— Diane (@bellecali_xo) June 19, 2015
https://twitter.com/hadleyfoo/status/612009303675809792
Had to see "Caucasian Heritage Night" for myself. On behalf of Scandinavians, don't loop us into the plan. #owlz pic.twitter.com/16XilOhEZm
— Kim in San Diego (@housesandme) June 19, 2015
"White people in Utah have it tough. How can we lift their spirits?" "I know! Honky Heritage Night with the Owlz!" https://t.co/OLYRXGiL3d
— Paul Freelend (@PaulFreelend) June 19, 2015
“Refocusing on the dominant narrative instead of making room for the celebration of oppressed people is unnecessary,” say Everyday Feminism writer Maisha Z. Johnson. “It hurts our efforts to create a just world … Nearly every time I turn on my television, or look at magazine stands, you might as well call it #WhiteOutDay. The media perpetuates a Eurocentric ideal of beauty as thin and white like it’s nobody’s business – except that it is really big business.”