CORVALLIS, Ore. (KMTR) -- Officials from the OSU Athletics Department are officially abandoning the 'Wear Black' campaign after students raised concerns about racial issues brought about from past football games.
When Beaver fans bought season tickets this fall they were told to wear black for two upcoming games, but a recent decision has taken back that request.
Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) did not support the campaign because of racial insensitivity shown in the past.
In 2007, OSU students called for a blackout for the game against Arizona. Students showed up in full black body paint and black Afros and many students were offended.
OSU’s Student Body President felt students and the community were not ready for another blackout and officials ultimately agreed.
“OSU has proven, I think, seeing the comments on the most recent article, saying well, 'Black face? People are just being too sensitive!' ” explains ASOSU President Amelia Harris.
“Well, that's not fair to people. That's not fair to our community,” she added.
Vice President of University Relations and Marketing for OSU Steve Clark says the student concerns were valid.
“We appreciate the fact that there is concern. Unfortunately there's also been miscommunication, or misunderstanding, so what does that emphasize? It means that we need to work together, talk together and build and even better campus community together.”
Harris says ASOSU would've supported the campaign if it included a campus-wide education program about racial insensitivity, but school officials were not prepared to go forward with that process this year.
Though the 'Wear Black' campaign has been called off, there are still five games encouraging beaver fans to wear orange, which is the only official color of Oregon State University.
