Posted May 2, 2008 – At North Dakota State University , where about 1 percent of the student body is African American, officials are pondering the proper response for a campus group that performed a blackface skit of Barack Obama getting a lap dance.
"We're trying to find out the right approaches for accountability, but at the same time try to heal wounds that have occurred and allow the campus to move ahead," Janna Stoskopf, the student dean told The Associated Press.
During the March 18 skit by the university’s Saddle and Sirloin Club at the Mr. NDSU Pageant, a contestant, dressed as the Obama Girl Internet celebrity performed a striptease for another student with his face blackened and donning an afro wig. In the background, AP reports, two other male students simulated anal sex while holding an Obama sign, which a student tore up at the end of the skit.
"The students involved have accepted responsibility for their actions and expressed deep remorse," University President Joseph Chapman said in a statement. "NDSU does not and will not ignore acts of intolerance at our institution or in our community."
Obama is scheduled to speak at North Dakota Democrats' state convention in Grand Forks next week. His campaign had no comment.
"Honestly, I still don't know what the intention of the skit was," said student body President Josh Reimnitz,. "It was very silent, and there were some boos. People were looking at each other, not knowing how to act."
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