Navy Seals banned from wearing “blackface”? Fact Check
A story that claims Navy Seals are no longer to wear “blackface” is circulating social media.
FALSE
Blackface refers to the act of painting ones face entirely black, often for fancy dress events or sometimes it has an association with sporting events. It is regarding by some as controversial and racially insensitive.
Of course, those in the Navy Seals often adorn black or green face paint for the purposes of camouflage.
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This particular story actually leads back to a website called duffelblog.com, which isn’t a serious website. It publishes satirical content. An excerpt from the article – which claims that soldiers will be required to wear “inclusive rainbow patterns” instead of black face paint, can be read below.
“We are not 100 percent woke, but this is a big step,” said Lt. Gen. Scott Howell, the current nominee to head Joint Special Operations Command. “We must stop perpetuating the stereotype that all black people are good at tactical operations.”
Recent studies show “blending in with the dark of night” to be a racist artifact of the past. SEALs will now be required to use inclusive rainbow patterns and biodegradable glitter.
“I never felt like I was being racist,” said Petty Officer 1st Class James Largo, “but I understand how cultural biases can find concealment in the covert corners of your mind.”
It seems likely that many Internet users haven’t actually read the article, or noticed the disclaimer link that explains that the website is a parody website.
Duffel Blog is a parody of a news organization, and all content it publishes is satirical in nature. No content should be regarded as truthful, and no reference of an individual, company, or military unit seeks to inflict malice or emotional harm. All characters, groups, and military units appearing in these works are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual military units and companies is purely coincidental.
As is often the case, many readers glanced at the outrage-inducing headline, and shared it without any critical examination. Upon a proper read, it is clearly an article not intended for serious consumption.
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