Julie Overbaugh is a virologist affiliated with both the U. of Washington’s School of Medicine and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. She has spent much of her 30 year career seeking a cure for HIV, a disease still fairly devastating on the continent of Africa. Thirteen years ago she attended a Halloween party devoted to Michael Jackson’s album Thriller. She made the “mistake” of attending in blackface. An individual recently came forward with evidence of her indiscretion and her career presently hangs in the balance.
The Cancer Research Center immediately placed her on administrative leave while releasing the following statement: “The act depicted in the photo is racist, offensive and hurtful, and we offer our sincere apologies to anyone who has experienced pain or upset because of the act in this photo.” Her University issued a statement echoing the same sentiment.
Pardon my White, Patriarchal, Privileged Insensitivity, but anyone claiming to be upset by the photo in question either has the maturity of a six year old, needs serious psychological help, or is a manipulative liar! The mainstream Culture is presently dominated by the Victim Industry which has in fact some legitimate grievances. But when the well-being of perfectly good people is jeopardized by accusations that are demonstrably trite, the caretakers of public opinion on both the Left and Right need to get over their fear of “offending” and show some guts in defense of the Truth! Yes, appropriations of the cultures of others can be offensive. But in general the contemporary outrage over cultural appropriation is a brazen scam. Were I, as an Italian, to take umbrage at the appropriation of my culture, you people would never eat pasta again!
Overbaugh apologized for what might have been a tribute to Michael Jackson. What other choice did she have? I know of several people here in Canada working in the academic community who loathe the culture of their workplaces but remain silent for obvious reasons. Such is the inherent fascism of our “liberal” society!
Jussie Smollett, recently convicted for his fraudulent attempt to have himself inducted into the pantheon of Black/Gay Victimhood, has said he was only found guilty because of the color of his skin. I know the many “conservative” pundits I revere, both Black and White, will call him out for his B.S.. But in the sort of healthy society I envision, one devoted to Truth rather than Identity, he wouldn’t dare make such a ludicrous claim. Nor would an accomplished and no doubt compassionate individual such as Julie Overbaugh have her reputation destroyed where no malice whatsoever was in any way intended.